Thymoma - disease of many faces

A thymoma belongs to rather rare tumors, although it holds the first place among primary mediastinal tumors in adults. The biological characteristics of thymomas are considerably divergent. The tumors are usually asymptomatic at the begining, later due to a local spread, symptoms from the infiltration or compression of adjacent structures arise, they metastasize rarely. Thymomas are often associated with various autoimmune or endocrinologic diseases. The authors present case of the patient with less common paraneoplasia - autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Main strategy of treatment thymom with AIHA isn´t clear. The most important seems to be the early started corticotherapy. Achieving remission of secondary AIHA has importace in following therapy of thymoma - surgical resection or chemotherapy. Thymectomy has positive effect on the course of associated paraneoplastic syndromes and prognosis in general.