Spontaneous Regression Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Gut 31(6): Jun 1990; 722-724. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2559.1998.00340.x
View Original Source →Abstract
Primary liver tumors comprise less than 6% of all tumors occurring in neonates and infants. One third of hepatic tumors in children are benign, and of these 44% are vascular. Vascular tumors are the most common of those derived from stromal tissues of the liver (excluding those of hepatocyte origin). Two distinct types of vascular tumors in the liver have been described: cavernous hemangioma and infantile hemangioendothelioma, which is the more common variety. Spontaneous regression has been known to occur in some cases of hemangioendothelioma. This paper presents the first ultrasonographic demonstration of such spontaneous regression in a child.
Case Details
Personal Characteristics
63-year-old white woman, no relevant past history or family history, no previous history of jaundice or hepatitis, no excessive alcohol intake, no previous operations or blood transfusions, no drugs, recent weight loss
Clinical Characteristics
Abdominal discomfort, anorexia, weight loss, hepatomegaly, pulmonary metastases, irregular hepatomegaly, palmar erythema, normal concentrations of urea, electrolytes, calcium, and phosphorus, raised alphafetoprotein concentration, negative hepatitis b surface antigen and hepatitis b antibodies including IGM anticore antibody and hepatitis a IGM, normocytic and hypochromic red cells, metastatic disease in chest x-ray, multiple large highly reflective lesions in liver in ultrasound, primary hepatocellular carcinoma in liver biopsy
Remission Characteristics
Asymptomatic after five months, weight gain, cleared metastases, considerable shrinkage of the tumour, cryptogenic macronodular cirrhosis with no evidence of carcinoma in repeat biopsy, normal liver function tests after twelve months
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Additional Notes
The primary and secondary tumours resolved without specific treatment.