Spontaneous Regression Of A Malignant Primary Bone Tumour
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 49(1): 1978; 49-53
View Original Source →Abstract
A histologically confirmed malignant, primary bone tumour in the pelvis, presumably an osteosarcoma, underwent spontaneous regression. The large tumor was inoperable and gave rise to severe pain as well as difficulty in walking. After 2 years of progression, with increasing destruction of the pelvic bones, the clinical and radiological condition improved spontaneously, and at present the patient is alive, almost symptom-free, after 6 years of follow-up.
Case Details
Personal Characteristics
36-year-old man
Clinical Characteristics
Increasing pain on weight-bearing in the region of the left hip, occasionally radiating to the leg, mild atrophy of the muscles of the left thigh and a limp, widespread osteolytic lesion in the left half of the pelvis, esr was 100 millimeters and alkaline phosphatase was slightly elevated
Remission Characteristics
Clinical and radiological condition improved spontaneously, patient is alive, almost symptom-free, after 6 years of follow-up, pain decreased, and during the following years the complaints gradually disappeared, patient has been free of pain, and he walks almost normally, radiological remission took place, the tumour area became increasingly delimited and sclerosed
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Clinical Treatment
Open biopsy, exploratory operation
Non-Clinical Treatment
Non-weight-bearing and analgesic medication
Additional Notes
The large tumor was inoperable and gave rise to severe pain as well as difficulty in walking. After 2 years of progression, with increasing destruction of the pelvic bones, the clinical and radiological condition improved spontaneously, and at present the patient is alive, almost symptom-free, after 6 years of follow-up.