spontaneous regression of reticulum-cell sarcoma of bone; a case report

Case Details

Disease Location

Outer aspect of right leg

Personal Characteristics

5-year-old caucasian male

Clinical Characteristics

Intermittent pain & swelling firm swelling about distal third of fibula roentgenograms of right leg displayed destructive lesion originating proximal to distal epiphysis of fibula extended upward 4.5 in with codman's triangle flanking medial corightex white blood count= 12,800 with 54% polymorphonuclear neutrohpils, 42% lymphocytes, 4% eosinophils red blood count= 4,390,000 & hemoglobin 78% biopsy (1951) consisted of resection of distal half of right fibula diaphysis biopsy report documented a cellular tumor postoperatively, roentgen therapy directed to right distal fibular area working diagnosis from mayo clinic was ewing's tumor roentgenograms of right leg & chest in jan. 1952 after patient returned to hospital revealed areas of infiltration scattered through both lung fields

Remission Characteristics

Roentgenograms in mar. 1952 revealed disappearance of multiple infiltrates found earlier 4 mths postoperative examination displayed no clinical evidence of recurrence--> roentgenograms revealed distal end of fibula approached normal periodic roentgenograms of the right leg thru course of the year demonstrated that bone structure of tibia and fibula was normal roentgenograms of chest failed to reveal recurrence of pulmonary findings final clinical exam in 1958 (6 years postoperatively) verified good health and no recurrence of original sarcoma, clinically & roentgenographically

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Mechanism is unknown

Clinical Treatment

Biopsy = resection of distal half of right fibula disaphysis at surgery, corightex found to be consumed by necrotic gray tumor tissue procedure confined to biopsy due to presence of malignant tumor