Spontaneous Regression Of Malignant Disease: Report Of Three Cases
Margolis, J., & West, D. (1967). spontaneous regression of malignant disease: report of three cases. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 15(3), 251–253. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.1967.tb01134.x
View Original Source →Case Details
Disease Location
Right lung
Personal Characteristics
58-year-old male smoked > 2 packs of cigarettes/day
Clinical Characteristics
Admitted oct 1953 with productive cough of 1 years duration with 20 lb weight loss during previous 6 mths findings on pathologic exam after thoracotomy was adenocarcinoma of lung
Remission Characteristics
Followed up every 3/4 mths each time purulent fluid would re-accumulate in chest space & would rupture through to outside & drain spontaneously patient would obtain relief for several weeks re-accumulations persisted until 1962, then stopped continued to do well except for several subsequent bouts of pneumonia no evidence of tumor 12 years later
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Possible factor is the development of empyema necessitatis & several bouts pneumonia postoperatively
Clinical Treatment
Feb 1954, thoracotomy performed & posterior segment of lobe was resected right pneu monthsectomy--> after this operation, patient's course consistently downhill with marked weight loss & chest pain required narcotics for weight loss & chest pain