Apparent spontaneous complete regression of a multifocal malignant mesothelioma of the pleura.
A 61-year-old woman diagnosed with multifocal, poorly differentiated epithelial mesothelioma in September 2002 went into sustained spontaneous remission within months. She was completely disease-free within 6 months, and remained so 5 years later. This case demonstrates that this tumour may, very rarely, regress spontaneously, with no recurrence for many years. A greater knowledge of the underlying immune mechanisms would aid future management of this and other tumours.
Allen
Roger K A
RK
Wesley Medical Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. rogerallen@internode.on.net
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed