Thymic hyperplasia after chemotherapy: two case reports and a literature review.

The development of mediastinal masses in patients previously treated for cancer frequently indicates recurrent or metastatic disease. In this article we describe two patients previously treated for malignancies who had new or recurrent anterior mediastinal masses. These masses proved to be markedly enlarged thymuses due to thymic hyperplasia. The development of thymic hyperplasia after systemic chemotherapy is an uncommon but well known phenomenon. The management of such patients includes close observation or surgical intervention. Empiric antineoplastic therapy is not indicated.