Tuberc Respir Dis.  2013 Nov;75(5):214-217.

Spontaneous Regression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Case Report

• Hwang ED
• Kim YJ
• Leem AY
• Ji AY
• Choi Y
• Jung JY
• Kim SK
• Chang J
• Park JH
• Park SC

Abstract

Treatment of lung cancer in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is difficult because the mortality rate after surgery or chemotherapy is high for these patients. Spontaneous regression of cancer is rare, especially in lung cancer. A 62-year-old man, previously diagnosed with IPF, presented with stage IIIC (T2N3M0) non-small cell lung cancer. About 4 months later, spontaneous regression of the primary tumor was observed without treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous regression of lung cancer in a patient with IPF.

Keyword

Lung Neoplasms; Fibrosis; Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung*
Drug Therapy
Fibrosis
Humans
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis*
Lung Neoplasms
Middle Aged
Mortality
Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous

Figure

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  Figure 1 Chest computed tomography in October 2011 showing a diffuse subpleural reticular pattern and honeycomb appearance.

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  Figure 2 (A) Chest computed tomography (CT) in May 2012 showing a 3.2×2.3 cm mass in the left upper lobe. (B) The same CT showing enlargement of multiple mediastinal lymph nodes.

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  Figure 3 Positron emission tomography showing enlargement of multiple lymph nodes with increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the hilar, subcarinal, paratracheal, subaortic, prevascular, and supraclavicular areas, suggesting lymph node metastasis.

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  Figure 4 (A) Biopsy specimen from the right lower paratracheal lymph node showing metastatic and poorly differentiated non-small cell carcinoma (H&E stain, ×200). (B) Immunohistochemical stain of the right lower paratracheal lymph node showing positive staining for thyroid transcription factor-1 (×200).

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  Figure 5 (A) Follow-up chest computed tomography (CT) in October 2012 shows the disappearance of the primary tumor in the subpleural area of the left upper lobe. (B) The same CT shows a marked decrease in the size of the multiple metastatic lymph nodes in the hilar, subcarinal, paratracheal, subaortic, prevascular and supraclavicular areas.

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