Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Caucasian male patient: A case report and review of the literature

  • Authors:
    • Daniel P. Noij
    • Petrus W.G. van Der Linden
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 22, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2016.1115
  • Pages: 225-228
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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic cancer. As it often presents at an advanced stage, it generally has a poor prognosis. Spontaneous regression is a rare finding in HCC, and is often associated with tumour ischemia or a systemic inflammatory response. We herein present the case of a Caucasian patient with spontaneous regression of advanced HCC, not associated with either mechanism. Our patient was a 74‑year old Caucasian male who presented with advanced biopsy‑proven HCC, with α‑fetoprotein levels of >16,600 kU/l. On computed tomography examination, multiple metastases were identified. Due to the poor performance status and as the patient declined treatment, he was referred to a general practitioner for supportive palliative care. Six months later, the patient was alive and feeling well. He had suffered a cerebrovascular accident with ensuing partial hemiparesis, and had been initiated on enalapril, furosemide and curcumin. On re‑evaluation, the lung lesions had disappeared, whereas both the liver and peritoneal lesions had decreased in size. Following a review of the literature, the conclusion was that this case of spontaneous regression of advanced HCC was not caused by ischemia, inflammation, or any other previously reported mechanism. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying spontaneous regression of HCC.
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February-2017
Volume 6 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 2049-9450
Online ISSN:2049-9469

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Spandidos Publications style
Noij DP and Noij DP: Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Caucasian male patient: A case report and review of the literature. Mol Clin Oncol 6: 225-228, 2017
APA
Noij, D.P., & Noij, D.P. (2017). Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Caucasian male patient: A case report and review of the literature. Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 6, 225-228. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2016.1115
MLA
Noij, D. P., van Der Linden, P. W."Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Caucasian male patient: A case report and review of the literature". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 6.2 (2017): 225-228.
Chicago
Noij, D. P., van Der Linden, P. W."Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Caucasian male patient: A case report and review of the literature". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 6, no. 2 (2017): 225-228. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2016.1115