Cystic degeneration of thymic Hodgkin's disease following radiation therapy.
A case of thymic Hodgkin's disease presenting with an anterior mediastinal mass is reported. The mass progressively expanded in size on plain chest radiography during and following a mantle radiation therapy. A repeat computed tomographic (CT) scan of the chest in this patient revealed a cystic component to the mass, and thin-needle aspiration of the cyst led to a shrinkage of the mass. An experience in this case and review of literature suggest Hodgkin's disease involving the thymus gland frequently predisposes to cystic degeneration especially following radiotherapy, leaving a stable or progressively enlarging residual mass. A precise diagnosis of such a progressively expanding mass despite the adequate radiation therapy is crucial. CT scan of the chest in such cases and a thin-needle aspiration of the cystic mass offer precise diagnosis and may obviate the need for an open thoracotomy procedure.
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011344:Procarbazine; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D011241:Prednisone