Thymoma Presenting With Polyserositis and the Lupus Erythematosus Syndrome

SUMMARY For systemic lupus erythematosus aud thymoma to occur simultaneously is rare. Such an association in a woman aged 61 years is described. She presented with polyserositis and was found on radiological examination to have progressive enlargement of the mediastinum. An inoperable thymoma of the epithelial‐cell type was demonstrated at thoracotomy and treated with radiotherapy. The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus was established with appropriate serological tests, but no abnormalities of peripheral blood, erythrocyte sedimentation rate or serum proteins were noted during a two‐year period of observation. The possible mechanisms involved in the immunological aspects of thymic disease' are briefly discussed.