Spontaneous Regression Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Kondo, S., Okusaka, T., Ueno, H., Ikeda, M., & Morizane, C. (2006). spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. International journal of clinical oncology, 11(5), 407–411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-006-0591-4
View Original Source →Abstract
We report four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (all men, with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C virus infections) who showed spontaneous regression of the tumor. When the spontaneous regression occurred all of the patients were over age 67 years. They showed a rapid increase of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels just before the spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. In all the patients, the alpha-fetoprotein level decreased to within normal limits and the tumor was partially to completely reduced in size. One patient revealed regression after bleeding of esophageal varices and blood transfusion. Another showed spontaneous regression after taking several complementary and alternative medicines. However, the mechanisms underlying this intriguing phenomenon remain unknown.
Case Details
Disease Location
Liver
Personal Characteristics
67-year-old man, multiple liver tumors, social drinker
Clinical Characteristics
Admitted to followup, HCV positive, histological examination showed a poorly differentiated hcc, ed monthsdson’s iii, in a segment 4 tumor. Rfa was performed. 1 year later a recurrent tumor with portal vein tumor thrombosis and ascites were detected by CT, and his AFP level increased rapidly
Remission Characteristics
1 year after relapse, AFP levels decreased, CT showed shrinkage of the primary liver mass and the disappearance of the pleural effusion and ascites
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Clinical Treatment
Radiofrequency ablation (rfa), palliative care