Studies In Clinical And Biological Evolution Of Adenocarcinoma Of The Ovary
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the British Empire 66: 1959; 827-842
View Original Source →Abstract
Clinical data on a patient who underwent spontaneous regression of pulmonary metastases from a testicular cancer are presented. He continues to be free of cancer 12 years later. A review of the literature disclosed nine similar cases, which are discussed in some detail. Spontaneous regression of metastatic testicular cancer is so rare that its possibility should never be a factor in the consideration of possible treatment choices in any specific case. The authors have no proposition to offer regarding the mechanism responsible for the spontaneous regression described herein. It is hoped, however, that the collection of these 10 cases and their categorization as true, spontaneous regressions may be of some general interest to those researchers currently engaged in the study of the immune response which must surely play a major role in such miraculous recoveries from disseminated cancer.
Case Details
Clinical Characteristics
Observable histogenesis, existence of an ascites phase where proliferating cells may be observed in the natural culture media of the peritoneal fluid, phenomenon of spontaneous regression of a tumour that seems to be transitional between the benign and the malignant
Remission Characteristics
Spontaneous regression
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Additional Notes
The author has undertaken a review of the literature after observing 5 cases of spontaneous regression of tumours of the ovary and has found no less than 36 clearly proven or probable examples of spontaneous regression. Differences between the benign and the malignant were found in respect to tissue respiration, rate of P32 incorporation in RNA and in the variability in amounts of DNA.