UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF MALIGNANT THYMOMA ASSOCIATED NEPHROTIC SYNDROME WITH FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PS) are the consequences of hormones or immune cross-reactivity produced by a tumor. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is an extremely rare PS resulting from a thymoma. Here, the case of a 55-year-old woman presenting progressive generalized edema and foamy urine is reported. The patient’s chest CT scan showed anterior mediastinum with intramural punctate calcification size 8.6x7.0x10.2 cm. The case was reviewed at the multi-dispensary team conference, and the clinical diagnosis was an unusual presentation of malignant thymoma known as NS. After that, a thymectomy and kidney biopsy was performed. Histopathologic examination showed Thymoma type B and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, respectively. Therefore, we considered it paraneoplastic nephrotic syndrome (PNS), without glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants or other drugs to treat NS. After the thymectomy, her clinical spontaneous resolved at the first follow-up, proposing a causative relationship between the two conditions.