Cure Of Lung Cancer From Incomplete Surgical Resection
Smith R. A. (1971). Cure of lung cancer from incomplete surgical resection. British medical journal, 2(5761), 563–565. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.5761.563
View Original Source →Abstract
Three patients with lung cancer have been cured by incomplete removal of the cancer, which has for 20 years been the policy of this unit when complete removal is not possible. In each patient residual cancer remained on the wall of the left atrial chamber of the heart at the end of an operation for pneumonectomy.Incomplete removal of cancer may, as a rare event, cure the patient. When residual cancer remained on any mediastinal structure other than the atrium cure has not been seen, though progress of the cancer seems to be retarted in some patients.
Case Details
Disease Location
Left lung
Personal Characteristics
56 years, 30 cigs daily for 40 years
Clinical Characteristics
Admitted with hemoptysis, tumor encircling incised left atrium
Remission Characteristics
Cure of the original cancer confirmed by necropsy key feature is that death of residual cancer occurred only when residual tumor remained in wall of atrium (growth continued if left on any other intrathoracic structures in 72 other patients)
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Possible factors include endocrine influences, fever & infection, allergic or immune rxn, interference with nutrition of cancer, removal of carcinogenic agent
Clinical Treatment
All underwent operation for pneu monthsectomy residual cancer remained on wall of left atrial chamber of heart in each patient after operation blood transfusion < 5 pints for each patient pneu monthsectomy space treated routinely & injected with penicillin solution