J Korean Radiol Soc.  1981 Sep;17(2):269-274. 10.3348/jkrs.1981.17.2.269.

Spontaneous regression of multiple pulmonary metastatic nodules of hepatocarcinoma: a case report

• Bahk YW
• Park SH
• Kim SM

• KMID: 2463404
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1981.17.2.269

Abstract

Although rare spontaneous regression of either primary or metastatic malignant tumor in the absence of inadequate therapy has been well documented. Since the earliest day of this century various malignant tumors havebeen reported to spontaneously disappear or to be arrested of their growth, but the cases of hepatocarcinoma has been very rare. From the literature, we were able to find out 5 previously reported cases of hepatocarcinoma which showed spontaneous regression at the primary site. Recently we have seen a case of multiple pulmonary metastaticnodules of hepatocarcinoma which completely regressed spontaneously and this forms the basis of the present casereport. The patient was 55-year-old male admitted to St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical College because of ahard palpable mass in the epigastrium on April 26, 1978. The adimssion PA chest roentgenogram revealed multiplesmall nodular densities scattered throughout both lung field especially in lower zones and toward the peripheralportion . A hepatoscintigram revealed a large cold area involving the left lobe and inermediate zone of the liver. Alfa-fetoprotein and hepatitis B serum antigen test were positive whereas many other standard liver function teststurned out to be negative. A needle biopsy of the tumor revealed well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient was put under chemotherapy which consisted of 5 FU 500 mg intravenously for 6 days form April 28 to May 3,1978. The patient was discharged after this single course of 5 FU treatment and was on a herb medicine, the nature and quantity of which obscure. No other specific treatment was given. The second admission took place on Dec. 3, 1980 because of irregularity in bowel habits and dyspepsia. A follow up PA chest roentgenogram obtained on the second admission revealed disappearance of previously noted multiple pulmonary nodular lesions. Follow up liverscan revealed persistence of the cold area in the left lobe with slight decreased in size. The patient was discharged again without any specific prescription after confirming negative resuls of various clinical studies including upper GI series and colon study. At the time of finishing this paper the patient is doing well without apparent medical problems.

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Needle
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Colon
Drug Therapy
Dyspepsia
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis B
Humans
Liver
Lung
Male
Middle Aged
Prescriptions
Thorax