Papillary Cystadenocarcinoma Of Both Ovaries; Report Of A Case With Apparent Cure Eight Years After Operation

Abstract

A case of primary testicular malignant tumour with metastases of unusual distribution and behaviour is presented. Spontaneous retrogression of cervical and pulmonary metastases has occurred. This case has several interesting features. First, the presentation of the metastatic lymph nodes high up in the right suboccipital region and in the left supraclavicular fossa about seven months after a simple orchidectomy and abdominal irradiation of the relevant lymphatic fields is unusual. Second, in spite of the dispersal of tumour cells in the process of dissection and excision of the suboccipital node, the wound healed per primum and the residual disease here, as well as in the left supraclavicular fossa, disappeared spontaneously without any further treatment. Third, the pulmonary metastases which were so clearly evident on the chest x-ray film of March 28, 1962, were found to disappear spontaneously within the next few months and were no longer evident on films taken on September 10, 1963, and November 22, 1965. Fourth, a small intestinal metastasis presenting clinically as acute intestinal obstruction is very rare. Spontaneous arrest or retrogression of some cancers is now generally accepted, though the factors responsible are largely unknown. It seems certain that the cervical and pulmonary metastases have disappeared in the present case.