[Filling of the thymic space after chemotherapy for ovarian cancer].

INTRODUCTION

Enlargement of the thymus following remission of a cancer treated by chemotherapy poses a problem of differential diagnosis between benign thymic hyperplasia and relapse of a mediastinal tumour.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a thymic tumour developing 6 months after chemotherapy for ovarian cancer in a woman of 31 years. Because of the risk of a mediastinal recurrence, the patient was submitted to thymectomy by mediastinotomy. Histopathological examination revealed benign thymic hyperplasia in reaction to the chemotherapy. The postoperative course was uneventful.

CONCLUSION

Benign thymic hyperplasia may develop after chemotherapy. It is an inflammatory reaction that subsides after a few months. A multidisciplinary discussion to consider the possibility of benign hyperplasia may save the patient unnecessary surgery.