Vagaries Of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Journal of Medicine (Clinical, Experimental and Theoretical) 3(3): 1972; 178-189
View Original Source →Abstract
The spontaneous regression of metastasis due to [human] renal adenocarcinoma is very uncommon; there are just 58 observations of it in the literature. The authors present a detailed analysis of these 58 cases as well as an additional case report from their practice. Up to now this event has not been explained, and it seems that many factors may cause it. Alterations of the immunologic status, hormonal modifications and a particular reactivity of the pulmonary tissue of the patient are discussed as possible factors.
Case Details
Personal Characteristics
57-year-old white male
Clinical Characteristics
Bilateral pulmonary lesions, symptoms of cough, sore throat, fever and general malaise, mass in the upper pole of the right kidney, necrotic renal cell carcinoma, 6 centimeters in diameter with hemorrhagic foci and no vascular invasion
Remission Characteristics
Almost complete disappearance of the previously described lesions in the lower lung fields three months following surgery, no definite evidence of any metastatic lesions on chest x-ray six months after surgery, remission has persisted to the present time
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Clinical Treatment
Transperitoneal right nephrectomy, resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, transurethral prostatic resection for benign prostatic hypertrophy
Additional Notes
The patient did well and was discharged on June 5, 1959, to be followed by a serial chest x-ray. Periodic follow-up has failed to show any recurrence until the present date.