ANTERIOR MEDIASTINAL METASTASIS OF TESTICULAR GERM-CELL TUMOR - RELATION TO BENIGN THYMIC HYPERPLASIA

Objective: To assess the anterior mediastinal mass in recurrent testic ular cancer, with relation to thymic hyperplasia after treatment. Meth ods: The anterior mediastinal regions were fully evaluated by chest co mputed tomography (CT) at the initial staging and after treatment in 2 4 of 44 patients with testicular cancer. Results: One patient with sta ge IIB tumor had thymic hyperplasia before treatment, and one with sta ge III had benign thymic hyperplasia after chemotherapy with salvage s urgery. Three of 4 patients who had recurrence had an anterior mediast inal mass. One had benign thymic hyperplasia confirmed by histology an d 2 had metastatic tumor confirmed by histology and clinical course, i n which the mass became so enlarged that it obstructed major vessels. Conclusion: Although the relationship of the CT finding to the respons e to treatment in the anterior mediastinal mass and other metastatic l esions provide some clues helpful in differentiating benign from malig nant masses, surgical exploration is recommended for the patient with an indication for salvage surgery.