J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2012 Sep;16(3):149-152.

A Patient with Distinct Evidences of Spontaneous Regression and Recurrence of Gastric Cancer for 13 Years

• Yang SE
• Lee YJ
• Lee JA
• Kim SH
• Jung SH
• Kim A
• Kim H
• Moon HJ
• Choi YH

Abstract

Spontaneous regression (SR) of malignancy is a rare phenomenon, especially in patients with gastric cancer. A 77-year-old male, who was already diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma by endoscopic biopsy from a private clinic, was referred to our hospital. Despite our strong recommendation, the patient refused surgical therapy. A follow-up endoscopy was performed 3 months later, which revealed that the ulcer had changed into a white scar. Endoscopic biopsy revealed only chronic inflammation. Two and 6 years later, cancer recurred, and SR was confirmed both times, histologically, at the gastric body. The patient is still alive without any gastrointestinal symptoms after 13 years of follow-up. The cause of SR is yet uncertain and there are only a few suggestions of scientific mechanisms. We, herein, report this very rare case of repeated recurrence and SR of gastric cancer without clear cause.

Keyword

Spontaneous neoplasm regression; Neoplasm recur; Gastric cancer

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Aged
Biopsy
Cicatrix
Endoscopy
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Inflammation
Male
Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous
Recurrence
Stomach Neoplasms
Ulcer