Spontaneous Regression Of Tumors

Abstract

An evaluation of more than 1000 cases of spontaneous regression of cancer published in the world medical literature or obtained by personal communication has been made. To date only 130 cases have been considered by us to have adequate documentation including histologic confirmation of the diagnosis of malignancy, to accept as probable examples of spontaneous regression of cancer. The 130 cases of probable spontaneous regression of cancer are tabulated according to type or location of tumors. Clinical evidence of spontaneous regression of cancer may be divided into several categories: (1) regression of primary tumor; (2) regression of metastatic tumor (histological confirmation of the malignancy of the metastatic tumor); (3) regression of metastatic tumor (no histologic confirmation of the malignancy of the metastatic tumor); (4) regression of presumptive metastases as diagnosed by roentgenograms. Spontaneous regression of cancer was most commonly noted in neuroblastoma, hypernephroma, choriocarcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Possible factors which may be responsible for spontaneous regression of cancer include endocrine influences, unusual sensitivity to usually inadequate therapy, fever and/or infection, allergic or immune reactions, interference with nutrition of the tumor, and removal of the carcinogenic agent.