Thymic hyperplasia masquerading as recurrent Hodgkin's disease: Case report and review of the literature

While the appearance of a mediastinal mass in a patient in remission from Hodgkin's disease frequently indicates recurrence, a number of benign processes may present in a similar manner. Tissue confirmation of relapse should be obtained prior to initiating further chemotherapy to avoid the morbidity of unnecessary treatment. We present a case of thymic hyperplasia that developed in a patient previously treated for Hodgkin's disease. Thymic hyperplasia is a poorly understood, apparently benign process that may be confused with recurrent lymphoma. Total excision of such a mass is recommended to rule out coexistent malignancy.