Pure red cell aplasia in a patient with lupus-like disease and thymoma

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare complication of autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Thymoma occurs in 5–13% of patients with PRCA and in 2% of patients with SLE. The simultaneous occurrence, however, of all 3 disorders is rare. We report a patient with lupus-like disease who developed PRCA in association with a thymoma and explore the management challenges that ensued.