Role of Thymus on Prognosis of Myasthenia Gravis in Turkish Population

Abstract

M yasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by a disruption of neuromuscular transmission, a result of antibodies directed against acetylcholine receptors (AChR) on the postsynaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction. Local or generalized muscle weakness, which may fluctuate during the day, is a typical feature. In cases where the bulbar and respiratory muscles are involved, a myasthenic crisis may occur, and potentially fatal respiratory failure is seen in some 15% of all patients with myasthenia gravis. Although it is known as a disease of the young, it also appears in the sixth and seventh decades [1-3].

Effect of myasthenia gravis on the surgical outcomes of patients with thymoma

“…24 This finding was attributed to the fact that Masaoka stage IVb disease was less common in the MG group than in the non-MG group. 5 Further, the proportion of patients with Masaoka stage IV disease in the MG group was lower than that in the non-MG group (5% and 22%, respectively). 23 However, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate because only one patient presented with stage IV disease in our study.…”

“…3,4 Surgical resection of thymoma with MG is recommended because it can improve MG symptoms and oncological prognosis. 5 However, due to the risk of myasthenia crisis, patients who undergo surgery for thymoma with MG had a high incidence of postoperative complications. 6 Therefore, the prognosis of thymoma with MG after surgery is considered to be worse than that of thymoma without MG.…”