Benign thymic enlargement in adults after chemotherapy: CT demonstration

Serial computed tomographic (CT) scans of 200 patients with malignant testicular teratomas were reviewed. Of the 200 patients, 120 were treated with chemotherapy for metastatic disease; 80 patients with no evidence of metastases (stage I disease) received no treatment and served as a control group. CT was performed at regular intervals for ongoing follow-up in both groups. Thymic enlargement occurred 3-14 months after initiation of treatment in 14 of the 120 patients (11.6%) who received chemotherapy but in only one patient in the control group. Histologic examination in one patient who received chemotherapy revealed that the thymic enlargement represented true hyperplasia. Thirteen of the 14 patients (93%) with thymic enlargement after chemotherapy were well and disease free on mean follow-up of 45 months, compared with 78% of the group that did not show thymic enlargement after chemotherapy (P less than .02). Rebound thymic hyperplasia in adults after chemotherapy for metastatic testicular teratoma may be a good prognostic feature and should be considered when an anterior mediastinal mass develops after chemotherapy for metastatic malignancy.