Spontaneous Regression of Esophageal Carcinoma with Pulmonary Metastases: Case Report Susumu Ohwada 1 *, Yukio Miyamoto 1 , Takanao Fujii 3 , Tetunari Oyama 2 , Takashi Joshita2 and Masaru Izuo1
The first description of a spontaneous regression of a primary esophageal carcinoma with progressive growth of multiple pulmonary metastases is reported, and the possible cause of the spontaneous regression is discussed briefly with reference to T cell subsets. A 78-year-old Japanese man underwent an esophageal bypass with gastric substitution for carcinoma of the middle to lower third of the irrtrathoracic esophagus with aortic invasion. Two months after the operation, multiple pulmonary metastases were documented and were seen to progress gradually over the next six months. Seven months later, all the secondary lesions underwent a complete spontneous regression. The primary lesion also regressed, but did not disappear completely. It was not possible to establish whether a change in T cell subsets was the cause or an effect of the regression.
(Jpn. J. Clin. Oncol. 20: 193—198, 1990) Key words:
Spontaneous regression — Esophageal carcinoma—T cell subsets
Introduction Spontaneous regression of any cancer is a rare event. This must be especially true for esophageal carcinoma as no case has previously been reported. We report the case of a spontaneous regression of a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the middle to lower intrathoracic esophagus with the complete disappearance of pulmonary metastases after an initial period of progression. Case Report A 78-year-old Japanese man was admitted to the National Numata Hospital on January 9, 1987, suffering chiefly from dysphagia. He had a history of a left cerebral infarction with residual left hemiplegia. His general medical condition was good, except for the neurological findings. Routine laboratory investigations gave normal results. The serum squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen Received: August 29, 1989 Accepted: December 28, 1989 *For reprints and all correspondence
(SCC) level (normal
The first description of a spontaneous regression of a primary esophageal carcinoma with progressive growth of multiple pulmonary metastases is reported, and the possible cause of the spontaneous regression is discussed briefly with reference to T cell subsets. A 78-year-old Japanese man underwent an esophageal bypass with gastric substitution for carcinoma of the middle to lower third of the irrtrathoracic esophagus with aortic invasion. Two months after the operation, multiple pulmonary metastases were documented and were seen to progress gradually over the next six months. Seven months later, all the secondary lesions underwent a complete spontneous regression. The primary lesion also regressed, but did not disappear completely. It was not possible to establish whether a change in T cell subsets was the cause or an effect of the regression.
(Jpn. J. Clin. Oncol. 20: 193—198, 1990) Key words:
Spontaneous regression — Esophageal carcinoma—T cell subsets
Introduction Spontaneous regression of any cancer is a rare event. This must be especially true for esophageal carcinoma as no case has previously been reported. We report the case of a spontaneous regression of a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the middle to lower intrathoracic esophagus with the complete disappearance of pulmonary metastases after an initial period of progression. Case Report A 78-year-old Japanese man was admitted to the National Numata Hospital on January 9, 1987, suffering chiefly from dysphagia. He had a history of a left cerebral infarction with residual left hemiplegia. His general medical condition was good, except for the neurological findings. Routine laboratory investigations gave normal results. The serum squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen Received: August 29, 1989 Accepted: December 28, 1989 *For reprints and all correspondence
(SCC) level (normal
