J Liver Cancer.  2015 Mar;15(1):46-51. 10.0000/jlc.2015.15.1.46.

Spontaneous Regression of Recurred Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Lung Metastases

• Yoon BY
• Lee HY
• Hwang SW
• Park SY
• Kim HJ
• Jang HW
• Lee BS

• KMID: 2154074
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jlc.2015.15.1.46

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver malignancy. Spontaneous regression of HCC is extremely rare phenomenon and mechanism of regression remains ob-scure. 75-year-old woman previously diagnosed with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis was found to have single mass in liver with elevation of alpha-fetoprotein level to 10,320 ng/mL. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed. 27 months after TACE recurred HCC with multiple lung nodules were confirmed. The patient refused any therapeutic modality. The patient underwent follow-up without any anti-cancer treatment. 8 months after recur-rence follow up computed tomography scan revealed spontaneous regression of HCC and completely disappeared lung nodules. The patient is currently doing well and without any evidence of recurrence. The causes of spontaneous regression of HCC are not well understood. Proposed mechanisms are ischemic injury, biological factors, herbal medicine, immunological variations. Further studies are necessary to improve our understanding of this rare phenom-enon.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Lung metastasis; Spontaneous neoplasm regression; Therapeutic chemoembolization

MeSH Terms

Aged
alpha-Fetoproteins
Biological Factors
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis C
Herbal Medicine
Humans
Liver
Liver Cirrhosis
Lung*
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous
Recurrence
Biological Factors
alpha-Fetoproteins