Association of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP), Graves' disease and ovarian carcinoma.

We report here the case of a patient suffering sequentially from autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP), Grave's disease and an ovarian carcinoma. An autoimmune mechanism was indicated by the presence of platelet associated immunoglobulins and the detection of antithyroid microsomal antibodies. However, the exact mechanism associating these autoimmune manifestations with the ovarian tumour remains unexplained. Specific therapy for hyperthyroid led to a moderate increase of the platelet count. But complete remission of AITP now lasting for more than eight years was only obtained by ablation of the ovarian tumour.