Two Cases of Malignant Tumors with Metastases Apparently Treated Successfully with Hypoglycemic Coma

Abstract

This case represents a chorioadenoma destruens of the uterus and pelvis following hydatidiform mole. A period of 3 months elapsed from the time of the evacuation of the mole from the uterus until the time of hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Preoperative febrile course is impressive. This case further demonstrated by films the metastatic spread of this lesion to the lungs with spontaneous regression. It is noted that the primary treatment here was surgery with no chemical or x-ray therapy to the pelvis or to the pulmonary lesions. This patient has had 18 months follow-up, has gained weight and returned to work and is apparently free of any disease at the present time.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

A. C., a white woman of italian extraction, aged 53

Clinical Characteristics

Adenocarcinoma of the cervix, metastasized in the lymph glands of the abdominal cavity, loss of weight, emotional discomfort, restlessness, depression and agitation, loss of appetite, mental illness

Remission Characteristics

Improvement, both of her mental and physical condition, less restless and agitated, depression completely disappeared, gained weight, felt stronger physically, appetite improved, slept fairly well, normal mental condition

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Insulin treatment

Clinical Treatment

Operation, biopsy, insulin treatment

Non-Clinical Treatment

Large amounts of codeine with aspirin, a variety of other analgesic drugs, barbiturates (seconal sodium), weekly liver extract injections

Additional Notes

The patient refused radiation therapy. The treatment prescribed was only symptomatic. The insulin treatment was started four days after the first interview, on July 30, 1957, with 20 units given intramuscularly once daily in the morning. This amount was rapidly increased so that in about two weeks she was getting as much as 180 units a day, without, however, going into coma. By the end of the fourth week, an improvement, both of her mental and physical condition, took place. After two and a half months of such treatment, five days a week, the patient had gained 32 pounds altogether (weight, 158 pounds). Her blood pressure was 125/75, her appetite was good; she slept well; and her mental condition was normal. Approximately one week after the course of insulin treatment was terminated, she was examined by her surgeon and he could not detect any signs of malignancy. A biopsy was done again, and it showed completely normal cellular morphology.