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Spontaneous Regression Of Lung Metastases From Renal-cell Cancer; Myth Or Reality? Report Of Two Cases

Barré et al., 1986Kidney cancer

Annales D’Urologie 20(4): 1986; 275-279

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Case Details

Clinical Characteristics

The postoperative period was characterized by a severe infection associated with pleuropulmonary staphylococci. Ten days’ therapy with antibiotics resulted in the normalization of the lung parenchyma and the persistence of the right pleura congestion. Fifteen days later nodules resembling metastases appeared in two areas. Bronchoscopy and fibroscopy was performed. The obtained specimen was composed of carcinomatous cells whose morphology was not similar to the morphology of primary brochiocarcinoma. Very unexpectedly the nodules disappeared 3 weeks later, and the patient’s condition normalized.

Remission Characteristics

The patient survived for another 5 years; the bronchioscopic and radioscopic tests were normal, and his general health was excellent.

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

The kind of stimulation of immune reaction provoked by bacterial infection was the foundation of numerous approaches to cancer therapy. We probably have, in the case of our first patient, the cause-effect relationship between staphylococcus pleural pneumonia and the regression of metastases one month after the infection.

Clinical Treatment

Ten days’ therapy with antibiotics

Additional Notes

See complete text of case report on page 251.