Korean J Radiol.  2008 Oct;9(5):470-472. 10.3348/kjr.2008.9.5.470.

Spontaneous Regression of Pulmonary and Adrenal Metastases Following Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of a Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma

• Kim H
• Park BK
• Kim CK

• KMID: 1385408
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2008.9.5.470

Abstract

The spontaneous regression of metastatic lesions from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare, but may be encountered following cytoreductive treatments. We report a case of a recurrent RCC with multiple metastatic lesions which spontaneously regressed after undergoing radiofrequency ablation of the renal tumor.

Keyword

Renal cell carcinoma; Spontaneous regression; Radiofrequency ablation

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/radiography/*secondary
Aged, 80 and over
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/radiography/*secondary/*surgery
*Catheter Ablation
Humans
Kidney Neoplasms/*pathology/radiography/*surgery
Lung Neoplasms/radiography/*secondary
Male
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Remission, Spontaneous
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 80-year-old man with multiple metastatic lesions from previously removed renal cell carcinoma. A. Pre-ablation abdomen CT shows well-enhancing solid tumor (arrows) arising from site of previous partial nephrectomy, which suggests recurrent renal cell carcinoma. B. Chest CT, which was performed prior to radiofrequency ablation, shows well-defined metastatic nodule in right upper lobe of lung (arrow). Lesion has maximum diameter of 10 mm. C. Pre-ablation abdomen CT shows well-enhancing tumor (arrow) arising from right adrenal gland. Lesion has maximum diameter of 1.8 cm. CT image was obtained in supine position of patient. D. Post-ablation abdomen CT performed 10 months after radiofrequency ablation shows lack of tumor enhancement within tumor, which suggests complete ablation (arrows). E. Chest CT performed 10 months after radiofrequency ablation reveals that nodule (arrow) is significantly reduced and maximum diameter cannot be measured. F. Post-ablation abdomen CT shows that right adrenal mass (arrow) decreases to one-half volume (1.4-cm maximum diameter). This CT image was obtained in prone position of patient.

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