Spontaneous Regression Of A Biopsy Confirmed Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Bhardwaj, N., Li, M., Price, T., & Maddern, G. J. (2014). spontaneous regression of a biopsy confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma. BMJ case reports, 2014, bcr2014204897. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2014-204897
View Original Source →Abstract
A 74-year-old woman was diagnosed with histologically proven multiple bilobar hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in 2012. The lesions were inoperable and a repeat CT scan prior to starting chemotherapy revealed spontaneous regression of these lesions. Subsequent repeat scans have revealed continued regression of these lesions despite no active treatment. The case is presented with a literature review and discussion summarising the possible aetiologies of this phenomenon.
Case Details
Disease Location
Inferior left hepatic lobe
Personal Characteristics
74-year old woman presented with back pain and blood in urine; history of alcohol misuse, hypertension, cholecystectomy and tubal ligation
Clinical Characteristics
Renal ultrasound scan and CT scan showed at least 20 hypervascular lesions in liver with the largest at 7cmx9cm in inferior left lobe; blood test showed deranged liver enzymes with normal alkaline phophatase and bilirubin and tumour markers ca 19.9 and ca 125 were negative, viral hepatitis serologies negative; biopsy showed hepatocellular carcinoma;
Remission Characteristics
2 months later a CT scan showed a dramatic reduction in number and size of lesions and liver tests had returned to normal; subsequent CT scans over the next 19 months continued to show regression or resolution of all lesions
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
No specific mechanism for this case offered