Which disease is classically associated with a thymoma?

Which disease is classically associated with a thymoma?

• A. Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• B. Guillain-Barré syndrome
• C. Myasthenia gravis
• D. Multiple sclerosis

Answer: (C)

Thymic abnormalities can drive autoimmune attack at the neuromuscular junction, so the disease classically linked to a thymoma is myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis involves antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (or sometimes MuSK) at the motor endplate, leading to fatigable weakness that often starts with extraocular muscles and bulbar or proximal limb muscles. The thymus plays a role in T-cell education, and thymic abnormalities like thymoma are commonly found in MG, with thymectomy sometimes improving symptoms. Lambert-Eaton syndrome is a presynaptic disorder usually associated with small cell lung carcinoma, not thymoma. Guillain-Barré is an acute demyelinating polyneuropathy not linked to thymic pathology, and multiple sclerosis is a CNS demyelinating disease unrelated to the thymus.

Thymic abnormalities can drive autoimmune attack at the neuromuscular junction, so the disease classically linked to a thymoma is myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis involves antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (or sometimes MuSK) at the motor endplate, leading to fatigable weakness that often starts with extraocular muscles and bulbar or proximal limb muscles. The thymus plays a role in T-cell education, and thymic abnormalities like thymoma are commonly found in MG, with thymectomy sometimes improving symptoms. Lambert-Eaton syndrome is a presynaptic disorder usually associated with small cell lung carcinoma, not thymoma. Guillain-Barré is an acute demyelinating polyneuropathy not linked to thymic pathology, and multiple sclerosis is a CNS demyelinating disease unrelated to the thymus.