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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Service de chirurgie thoracique, CHU Ibn Sina, faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université Mohammed V, Rabat, Maroc. abdachir@yahoo.fr
A
A
Achir
M
M
Mahdi
Y
Y
Ouadnouni
M
M
Bouchikh
Y
Y
Msougar
H
H
Fenane
F
F
Ouchane
A
A
Benosman
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013952:Thymus Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced*