Spontaneous Regression of a Metastatic Liver Tumor: Report of a Case

Abstract

A 60-year-old man, who suffered from advanced rectal cancer accompanied with liver metastasis, underwent an abdominoperineal resection and a partial hepatectomy. He remained well until 4 months after surgery when he developed a biopsy-proven recurrent intrapelvic mass and multiple liver tumors. At 6 months after surgery, the metastatic liver tumors grew larger and almost completely occupied both lobes of the liver. However, 9 months after surgery, the liver tumors regressed remarkably and his clinical condition improved without any specific treatment for cancer. Although he died of cancerous peritonitis 18 months after surgery, the autopsy findings did not indicate any apparent regrowth of the liver tumors. To date, only one case report of a spontaneous regression of a metastatic liver tumor from colorectal cancer has been published in the English literature. We herein describe this rare case and discuss some of the reasons potentially responsible for the regression.

Infarct Like Necrosis of Colorectal Liver Metastasis Without Chemotherapy: A Rare Phenomenon

“… 6 The presence of liver metastasis had been confirmed by histology in 3 of the 9 cases. 7 - 9 Histological assessment of the regressed tumor was performed in only one of the 3 cases, and showed marked chronic inflammation and coagulative necrosis with a few viable tumor cells. 8 Though not described as such, the histological features described by Matsuki et al were compatible with ILN.…”

“…Three of the cases described above also had a previous liver biopsy. 7 - 9 The effects brought about by the biopsy may have contributed to regression of this tumor. Cases of tumor regression following biopsy have been reported in cancer at other sites 14 and is thought to be brought about by activation of the immune response due to the injury brought about by the biopsy or destruction or emboli of the feeding artery of the tumor by the core needle biopsy.…”

“…[7][8][9] Histological assessment of the regressed tumor was performed in only one of the 3 cases, and showed marked chronic inflammation and coagulative necrosis with a few viable tumor cells. 8 Though not described as such, the histological features described by Matsuki et al were compatible with ILN. 10 The details of these cases are summarized in Table 1 Immunological, genetic, metabolic, hormonal and psychological factors may play a role in spontaneous tumor regression.…”