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Spontaneous Regression Of Malignant Disease; Report Of Three Cases

Margolis & West, 1967Colorectal cancer

American Geriatrics Society. Journal 15(3): March 1967; 251-253

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Abstract

Three documented cases of spontaneous regression of malignant neoplastic disease are presented. In 2 of the cases, severe infection was associated with the regression of cancer. In the third case the removal of possible carcinogenic factors may have been related to the host resistance to cancer. The importance of reporting and studying cases of spontaneous regression of cancer in man is emphasized.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

A 43-year-old white male

Clinical Characteristics

Severe headache, partial right hemiplegia, mild, chronic, choked disk, large tumor, large cyst, convulsions, overdosages of narcotics and barbiturates, acute and chronic infection of the kidneys, abscesses of both kidneys

Remission Characteristics

No evidence of astrocytoma was found despite very careful sectioning of the brain

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Fever and/or infection may be related to spontaneous regression of malignant new growths

Clinical Treatment

At operation a tumor was found together with a large cyst; the cyst was drained and about 150 milliliters of fluid removed. A biopsy specimen was taken from the tumor

Additional Notes

No treatment–surgical, radiologic, or chemotherapeutic–was administered at any time after the discovery of the inoperable astrocytoma