The resection of thyroid cancer was associated with the resolution of hyporesponsiveness to an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent in a hemodialysis patient with aceruloplasminemia

Abstract

We herein report the case of a hemodialysis patient whose response to an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) improved following the resection of thyroid cancer. Her hemoglobin level remained below 7 g/dL, despite the use of ESA. During the search for the causes of her hyporesponsiveness to ESA, papillary thyroid cancer and aceruloplasminemia were found. The existence of other potential causes, such as iron deficiency, infectious disease, severe hyperparathyroidism and malnutrition were ruled out. Following the resection of the thyroid cancer tumor, her hemoglobin level increased to 10.2 g/dL over a period of 4 months. This is the first report to demonstrate the resolution of hyporesponsiveness to ESA following the resection of a malignant tumor.