A Case That Seems To Suggest A Clue To The Possible Solution Of The Cancer Problem

Abstract

A case of metastatic breast cancer is reported in which the author postulates that the ascites in the pleural cavity in some way caused a spontaneous regression of the metastases. He asks “What is the meaning underlying this? What really took place? The patient had been in a half-starving condition–starved of food and of water–a state most favourable to the absorption of a thoracic exudation. When absorption took place pressure was taken off the oesophagus and swallowing became possible. The same cause relieved the lungs, and the respiration fell to 24. Improvement, not only general, but also local, coincided exactly in point of time with the disappearance of fluid from the chest. “How did this affect the cancerous tumour? Let us consider the facts as they appear, and then endeavor to account for them. The fluid (serum) had been suddenly, rapidly, and in considerable quantity taken into the system. It thus came into contact with a malignant growth which at that moment was overwhelmingly master of the situation. Be the cause what it may, the sequel was that thenceforward the growth not only ceased to advance, but actually withered and steadily parted with the most marked features which constitute its character. There was hardly escape from the conclusion that these two things stood related to each other as cause and effect. In other words, does not this mean that serum causes a tumour to retrograde?”