Spontaneous Resolution Of Oral Contraceptiveassociated Liver Tumor
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography 5(1): 1981; 102-103
View Original Source →Abstract
Some cancers can be traced to inherited susceptibility and some to irritating chemicals or to viral infections. Spontaneous remission has been observed frequently enough to suggest an immunity mechanism. Removal of neoplastic bulk has enabled host resistance to overcome some cancers. Radiation, hormones, and chemicals can be of assistance to this process. Six proven cases are reported to demonstrate a number of the factors involved in successful therapy of cancer. These cases include 1 case of spontaneous regression of a large tumor of the head of the pancreas with no treatment; 1 case of metastatic breast cancer, 2 cases of malignant melanoma; 1 case of pancreatic cancer and 1 case of basal cell carcinoma with inadequate treatment.
Case Details
Personal Characteristics
55-year-old woman, had been on norethynodrel with mestranol (envois®, g. D. Searle & co., chicago, illinois), 5 mg/day, for about 10 years without interruption
Clinical Characteristics
An enlarged diffusely bleeding liver, hepatic cell adenoma, a large mass in the right lobe of the liver, a 6 x 8 centimeter avascular mass, well-defined sonolucent lesion, reduction in tumor size from 6 x 6 x 8 centimeters to 2 x 4 x 4 centimeters during this 24 months period
Remission Characteristics
Spontaneous regression of the lesion
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Clinical Treatment
Laparotomy, biopsy, radionuclide scan, hepatic angiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) studies
Non-Clinical Treatment
Discontinued the oral contraceptives
Additional Notes
Follow-up by computed tomography (CT) was quite useful in a woman with an oral contraceptiveassociated benign hepatic cell adenoma. Follow up by CT without therapy (except to stop the oral contraceptives) was sufficient to show spontaneous regression of the lesion.