Positive Health Online

Abstract

KAPPAUF and colleagues, Medical Clinic 5/Oncology and Hematology, Nuremberg City Hospital, Germany describe a case of spontaneous remission (SR) of lung cancer of a 61-year-old man with extensive metatastic disease 5 months following pneumonectomy for poorly differentiated large cell and polymorphic lung cancer.

Background

Methodology

The authors defines SR as a complete or partial, temporary or permanent disappearance of all or at least some relevant parameters of a diagnosed malignant disease without any medical treatment, or with treatment that would be considered inadequate to produce the resulting regression.

Results

In the case described, there was histological confirmation of a vast metastatic tumour mass of the abdominal wall and clinical and radiographic evidence of liver and lung metastases. The patient was operated for a hernia 8 months later and the surgeon confirmed the complete clinical SR of the abdominal wall metastases. A further 5 months later, there was no longer any radiologic evidence of liver and lung metastases. This complete remission has persisted more than 5 years . The histology of the primary and the abdominal metastases were reviewed by a number of independent pathologists.

Conclusion

References

Kappaul H et al. Complete spontaneous remission in a patient with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. Case report, review of the literature, and discussion of possible biological pathways involved. Ann Oncol 8(10): 1031-9. Oct 1997.