Spontaneous Regression Of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Biopsy
Watkins, M. O., Tate, A. D., Lewis, J. S., Jr, & Garrett, C. G. (2022). Spontaneous Regression of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Biopsy. Ear, nose, & throat journal, 101(1), 59–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145561320939834
View Original Source →Abstract
Approximately 7 cases of spontaneous regression of adult laryngeal carcinoma have been published in the literature since 1900. This case presents a 62-year-old male with a 6-month history of hoarseness who was subsequently diagnosed with a T1aN0M0 left true vocal fold squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after biopsy. One month following the initial biopsy, histopathological findings on repeat biopsy revealed absence of malignancy and regression of the tumor without radiation. There has been no evidence of tumor recurrence. This case exemplifies how innate immune modulation may play a role in the spontaneous regression of laryngeal SCC, although the mechanism remains unknown.
Case Details
Disease Location
Vocal cord
Personal Characteristics
62-year-old male
Clinical Characteristics
Presented with a 6-month history of hoarseness. The patient recalled a coughing paroxysm with exposure to potpourri shortly before his hoarseness began. Laryngeal videostroboscopy (lvs) revealed an exophytic, leukoplakic lesion of the membranous left true vocal fold (tvf). One week later, direct microlaryngoscopy (mdl) revealed a thick exophytic, bulky, irregular mucosal mass that extended from the left vocal process to the anterior commissure. Biopsy showed extensive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ with rare foci of stromally invasive keratinizing type SCC. Prior to his cancer diagnosis, the patient had been taking protandim. After his diagnosis, he had doubled the dose of this supplement. The patient endorsed a spiritual contribution from added prayers from his local church congregation.
Remission Characteristics
Two weeks after mdl a repeat clinical examination by a laryngologist revealed significant improvement. There was almost complete regression of the exophytic SCC. Three weeks later a new mdl revealed a nearly normal in appearance left true vocal fold. There was a small focal area of mucosal irregularity on the left superior surface. Histopathological examination reported inflamed squamous mucosa with reactive and regenerative changes that were negative for malignancy.
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Biopsy to the cancerous area led to an antitumor immune response, causing regression of the remaining tumor.
Clinical Treatment
Biopsy
Non-Clinical Treatment
Protandim, prayers