Partial spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case with high concentrations of serum lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alpha fetoprotein.
Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare. There are few reports discussing spontaneous regression associated with serum lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alpha fetoprotein (AFP-L3). We describe a case of HCC with a high level of AFP-L3, which showed a rapid increase in alpha fetoprotein (AFP) concentration after partial spontaneous regression, and which was then treated successfully. A 71-year-old woman suffering from chronic hepatitis C underwent surgical resection for HCC. Preoperative concentrations of AFP fluctuated; subsequent to a transient decrease, a rapid increase in AFP was observed. AFP-L3 concentration was extremely high. The resected tissue consisted of encapsulated moderately differentiated HCC, subcapsular coagulation necrosis, and chronic active hepatitis. The postoperative course was uneventful. At present, 24 months after diagnosis, no symptoms or signs of tumor recurrence or metastasis have been observed. Although the precise etiology of the spontaneous regression in this patient is not known, we speculate that spontaneous regression of tumor cells with high malignant potential may be related to arterial involvement and insufficient blood supply.
Yano
Yoichi
Y
Department of Medicine, Saga Social Insurance Hospital, Saga 849-8522, Japan. syano@kumin.ne.jp
Yamashita
Fumihiko
F
Kuwaki
Kotaro
K
Fukumori
Kazuta
K
Kato
Osamu
O
Kiyomatsu
Kazumitsu
K
Sakai
Takenori
T
Yamamoto
Hiroshi
H
Yamasaki
Fumio
F
Ando
Eiji
E
Sata
Michio
M
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D037121:Plant Lectins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; C033619:lentil lectin