Question

A patient with mediastinal mass was diagnosed with red cell aplasia. What is the probable cause?

• A. Bronchogenic carcinoma
• B. NHL
• C. Thymic neoplasia
• D. T cell ALL

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The presence of a mediastinal mass in conjunction with red cell aplasia suggests clinical correlation with a condition known as pure red cell aplasia. This condition often occurs due to the presence of a thymoma, a type of tumor associated with thymic neoplasia. Thymomas are commonly located in the anterior mediastinum, which aligns with the symptoms of a mediastinal mass in the patient.

Condition	Association
Thymic neoplasia (Thymoma)	Pure red cell aplasia
Bronchogenic carcinoma	Not typically associated with red cell aplasia
NHL (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma)	Not typically associated with red cell aplasia
T cell ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)	Not typically associated with red cell aplasia

Thus, in a patient diagnosed with red cell aplasia and presenting with a mediastinal mass, thymic neoplasia is the most probable cause. Thymomas can disrupt normal erythropoiesis leading to the observed aplasia.