Thymoma type B2 progression, due to fear of contamination, in association with hydrocephalus: A case report of avoidant behavior during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The novel coronavirus pandemic outbreak caused extreme public fear, health concerns, and psychological distress, especially in oncology patients. The presented rare case is of a 40-year-old female with thymoma type B, with rapid progression, due to fear from the COVID-19 pandemic. Biopsy and histological verification of the tumor show a B-type thymoma with a high proliferative index. The fear of infection is causing avoidant behavior and leads to suboptimal therapy in some oncology patients that will have severe consequences. We can conclude that adequate, personalized, and most importantly, active psychological care is necessary and should be implemented for cancer patients. To be prepared for a future lockdown, it may be helpful to urge patients to seek alternative forms of social contact, such as online and mobile communications, to combat depression lockdown effects.

Keywords

• Fear
• COVID 19
• Pandemics
• Thymoma type B2
• Oncological progression
• Psychological care