Spontaneous Regression In Cancer
Prolonged Arrest of Cancer, BA Stoll (ed), John Wiley & Sons Ltd : 1982; Chapter 5, 103-116
View Original Source →Abstract
The literature on the spontaneous regression of cancer is reviewed from 1966 to 1987 to update reviews by Everson & Cole and by Boyd. These authors reviewed all cases of spontaneous regression from 1900 to 1965. We then report the entire series from 1900 to 1987. We also attempt to determine what attributions for spontaneous regessions have been reported. Although almost half of the authors failed to speculate or specify a possible cause for the spontaneous regression, the remainder postulated responsible factors such as immunological or endocrine, surgical, necrosis, infection, or operative trauma. The only unorthodox treatment to appear in the literature was the psychological. We conclude that the literature on the spontaneous regression of cancer is still unable to provide unambiguous accounts of the mechanisms operating to affect these regressions.
Case Details
Clinical Characteristics
Spontaneous regression, unexpected fluctuation or arrest of growth
Remission Characteristics
60% of the regressions lasted more than two years, with many over ten years
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Infections, endocrine factors, psychological factors
Clinical Treatment
Hormonal or cytotoxic chemotherapy
Additional Notes
The author reviews cases of spontaneous regression reported in the medical literature using the definition of spontaneous regression of Everson and Cole (1966). The author remarks that In the review of 176 cases in the literature by Everson and Cole (1966), 60% of the regressions lasted more than two years, with many over ten years. If the same criteria were applied to regression following hormonal or cytotoxic chemotherapy, response rates may not be much greater than the reported incidence of spontaneous regression! The review is organized under the following headings: Regression in adult cancer (kidney cancer, melanoma, testicular cancer, choriocarcinoma, bladder cancer, bone tumours, other tumors); regression in childhood cancer (neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumor, retinoblastoma); leukemia and lymphoma; in situ cancer of the cervix uteri; possible mechanisms in regression (infections, endocrine factors, psychological factors); and incomplete regression. The author comments that perhaps the criteria applied to spontaneous regression is too stringent and, therefore, advocates the study of those cases in which there is an unexpected fluctuation or arrest of growth, whether temporary or partial.