Possible Immune Factors In Spontaneous Regression Of Bronchogenic Carcinoma; Ten-year Survival In A Patient Treated With Minimal (1,200r) Radiation

Abstract

A case is reported of ten-year survival after thoracotomy for inoperable bronchogenic carcinoma. Apparent spontaneous regression has been followed by freedom from development of a new pulmonary tumor in spite of the patient’s continued smoking. Immunologic factors affecting this course are suggested by the demonstration of immune lymphocytes in the patients peripheral blood which depress the growth of tumor cells from a donor with lung cancer. In 1964 the patient reported herein was recorded (Bell JW et al., Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 48 (1964) 984) as a five-year survivor after apparent spontaneous resolution of an extensive, poorly differentiated neoplasm of the left lung, having received minimal (1,200 r) radiation. During the first two postoperative weeks two events occurred which may have influenced the subsequent course. He was given a total tumor dose of 1,200 r through anterior and posterior portals. He manifested fever from 100° to 103°F during most of this period. At discharge there was no change seen on the chest film. When seen five and a half months later, the patient had gained nearly 40 pounds, and the chest film revealed essentially complete clearing of the previous lesion. The patient has been followed at yearly intervals thereafter, and the chest film has remained clear up to this ten-year interval.