Spontaneous Regression of Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

Mikhail, George R.; Gorsulowsky, David C.

doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.1986.tb01939.x

Cited by 17 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…A review by Kalialis et al recovered only 76 cases from the literature since 1866, which corresponds to an incidence of 0.23% 3 . Of particular interest, our patient demonstrated not only subcutaneous and lymphatic regression, but also regression of lung involvement, which has been seen in only 10 cases in the literature [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Spontaneous Regression of Metastatic Melanoma after Inoculation with Tetanus–Diphtheria–Pertussis Vaccine

Tran

Burt²,

Eapen

et al. 2013

Current Oncology

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After 3 months, a right inguinal lymph node dissection revealed involvement in 1 of 6 lymph nodes. Clinical examination and computed tomography imaging showed no evidence of distant metastasis. The patient was considered to have T2bN1aM0 stage iiib disease.One month later, the patient started a 4-week induction course of adjuvant high-dose interferon alfa at a daily dose of 36×10 6 U intravenously 5 days per week, followed by an 11-month course of 18×10 6 U interferon alfa 3 times weekly subcutaneously for maintenance. He tolerated this regimen well, with some symptoms of muscle pain, diarrhea, fever, and occasional headaches in addition to a slight elevation of liver enzymes.Eleven months into therapy, the patient developed multiple (approximately 15) in-transit metastases in the upper right thigh. These erythematous lesions ranged in size from 1 mm to 10 mm. Two other similar subcutaneous nodules were also seen on the upper lateral aspect of the right thigh (Figure 1). The patient underwent palliative radiotherapy of 40 Gy in 10 fractions to each nodule and 30 Gy in 10 fractions to the intervening skin, with good response. Followup imaging showed no other recurrence. The patient completed his 1-year course of interferon.Six months after the course of interferon, the patient developed a tender 5-mm nodule above the left nipple, a 5-mm axillary nodule, and a small nodule under the chin and on the central back. The chest lesion was excised and proved to be melanoma. A punch biopsy of the left axillary nodule revealed a malignant non-melanin tumour. Immunohistochemistry for melanoma was positive for S100, mart-1, and tyrosinase, and negative for HMB45, suggesting metastatic disease 1 . Immunohistochemistry of the primary lesion was not available. In addition, imaging showed new right-middle-lobe lung nodules measuring up to 3.5 mm in diameter, and an enlarged 15×13-mm right external iliac lymph node. Investigations were initiated for enrollment in a trial for what was now stage iv disease. ABSTRACTSpontaneous regression of metastatic melanoma is an exceedingly rare event, with only 76 well-documented cases in the literature since 1866. Here, we present the case of a patient who developed metastatic melanoma despite interferon therapy and who then achieved spontaneous regression shortly after a reaction to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. A common theme among these cases is the development of febrile illness before remission of the malignant disease. A brief overview of proposed mechanisms for these miraculous recoveries is presented, including a highlight on the potential role of the herv-k-mel viral marker, a nona-or decapeptide that appears in most melanomas, with homologies to peptides in pathogenic microorganisms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Spontaneous Regression of Metastatic Melanoma after Inoculation with Tetanus–Diphtheria–Pertussis Vaccine

Tran

Burt²,

Eapen

et al. 2013

Current Oncology

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“…Spontaneous regression of the metastases of malignant melanoma is relatively rare, its frequency is reported as being of the order of 0.27% 14,17–19 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spontaneous regression of primary melanoma is associated with the influx of inflammatory cells. Cytotoxic T-cells, suppressor cells, 0 10.11.16 as being of the order of 0.27 0 h. 14,[17][18][19] macrophages, Langerhans cells, and natural killer cells have been found in regressed site^.^'-^^…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metastatic Malignant Melanoma with Spontaneous and Complete Regression of the Primary Lesion

Shai

Avinoach

Sagi

1994

The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology

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“…No reports of partial regression of visceral metastases were found. Nine reports of spontaneous regression of pulmonary metastases, mainly diagnosed using X rays, were available [2, 11, 21, Vial, Coller and Ellis in 22,[23][24][25][26]. In 1 case, a lesion was excised to confirm the diagnosis [23].…”

Section: Complete and Partial Regressionmentioning

confidence: 99%