Yonsei Med J.  2015 Sep;56(5):1449-1452. 10.3349/ymj.2015.56.5.1449.

High-Dose Vitamin C Promotes Regression of Multiple Pulmonary Metastases Originating from Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Seo MS
• Kim JK
• Shim JY

• KMID: 2163643
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2015.56.5.1449

Abstract

We report a case of regression of multiple pulmonary metastases, which originated from hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with intravenous administration of high-dose vitamin C. A 74-year-old woman presented to the clinic for her cancer-related symptoms such as general weakness and anorexia. After undergoing initial transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), local recurrence with multiple pulmonary metastases was found. She refused further conventional therapy, including sorafenib tosylate (Nexavar). She did receive high doses of vitamin C (70 g), which were administered into a peripheral vein twice a week for 10 months, and multiple pulmonary metastases were observed to have completely regressed. She then underwent subsequent TACE, resulting in remission of her primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keyword

High-dose vitamin C; multiple pulmonary metastases; hepatocellular carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Aged
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use
Ascorbic Acid/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*drug therapy/pathology
Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
Humans
Liver Neoplasms/pathology/*therapy
Lung Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Niacinamide/analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use
Phenylurea Compounds/therapeutic use
Treatment Outcome
Antineoplastic Agents
Ascorbic Acid
Niacinamide
Phenylurea Compounds

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serial abdominal CT scan. (A) A 2.2-cm mass is shown in S7 of the liver (initial diagnosis, Jan-29-2011). (B) Recurrence of the tumor was shown in a previous TACE-treated lesion (Sep-05-2011). (C) Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma remained visible on PET-CT scan after the regression of multiple lung metastases with vitamin C administration (Sep-13-2012). (D) Hepatocellular carcinoma regressed completely after the fourth TACE treatment (Jan-28-2014). TACE, transarterial chemoembolization; PET-CT, positron emission tomography-computed tomography.

• 

  Fig. 2 Multiple well-defined nodules are evident in both lung fields on chest radiography (A) and chest CT scan (B) in September 2011, before the initiation of intravenous high-dose vitamin C treatment. Chest radiography in July 2012 (C) and chest CT in February 2013 (D) showing regression of the lesions.

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