Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
A surgically unresectable, biopsy-proven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in a 63-year-old man with cirrhosis. He survived 24 months without treatment. During that time the tumor burden decreased as demonstrated both radiologically and by the normalization of alpha-fetoprotein levels. The patient died of complications secondary to repeated esophageal variceal hemorrhage. Necropsy demonstrated prominent, ulcerated esophageal varices and liver cirrhosis without evidence of neoplasia either grossly or on a subsequent thorough microscopic examination. This case represents the first confirmation of HCC spontaneous regression in which a primary histologic diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical and flow cytometric DNA analysis, and where tumor regression was proven by a thorough necropsy examination.
Gaffey
M J
MJ
Division of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010.
Joyce
J P
JP
Carlson
G S
GS
Esteban
J M
JM
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000473:pathology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous