Toshita Kumar1, Nick Patel, Arunabh Talwar. 1. Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA. tkumar@nshs.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clinicians are frequently questioned by patients about the possibility of spontaneous regression of tumors. Although there are many reports and a few case series documenting spontaneous regression, there is concern that these cases may not represent true regression. Using specific criteria, we attempted to determine the incidence and types of thoracic malignancy most likely to regress spontaneously. METHODS: We used a PubMed search of the phrase "spontaneous regression of thoracic lesions" reported from 1951 to December 2008. Using a modified Everson and Cole criterion we developed to define spontaneous regression, this search was refined for true spontaneous regression of primary and metastatic thoracic malignancies. RESULTS: Only 5 cases in the literature involved spontaneous regression of a primary thoracic malignancy. These include pleural mesothelioma, primary lung cancer and adenoid cystic carcinoma. 71 cases involved true spontaneous regression of metastatic thoracic neoplasms, of which 5 cases showed regression of the primary extrapulmonary tumors along with the pulmonary metastasis. Thoracic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma was the most common malignancy found to regress spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous regression of primary thoracic malignancy is rare. Renal cell carcinoma accounts for most reported cases.
BACKGROUND: Clinicians are frequently questioned by patients about the possibility of spontaneous regression of tumors. Although there are many reports and a few case series documenting spontaneous regression, there is concern that these cases may not represent true regression. Using specific criteria, we attempted to determine the incidence and types of thoracic malignancy most likely to regress spontaneously. METHODS: We used a PubMed search of the phrase "spontaneous regression of thoracic lesions" reported from 1951 to December 2008. Using a modified Everson and Cole criterion we developed to define spontaneous regression, this search was refined for true spontaneous regression of primary and metastatic thoracic malignancies. RESULTS: Only 5 cases in the literature involved spontaneous regression of a primary thoracic malignancy. These include pleural mesothelioma, primary lung cancer and adenoid cystic carcinoma. 71 cases involved true spontaneous regression of metastatic thoracic neoplasms, of which 5 cases showed regression of the primary extrapulmonary tumors along with the pulmonary metastasis. Thoracic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma was the most common malignancy found to regress spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous regression of primary thoracic malignancy is rare. Renal cell carcinoma accounts for most reported cases.
Authors: Michael S Rogers; Katherine Novak; David Zurakowski; Lorna M Cryan; Anna Blois; Eugene Lifshits; Trond H Bø; Anne M Oyan; Elise R Bender; Michael Lampa; Soo-Young Kang; Kamila Naxerova; Karl-Henning Kalland; Oddbjorn Straume; Lars A Akslen; Randolph S Watnick; Judah Folkman; George N Naumov Journal: Mol Cancer Res Date: 2014-02-26 Impact factor: 5.852
Authors: Yeon Hee Park; Bo Mi Park; Se Yeon Park; Jae Woo Choi; Sun Young Kim; Ju Ock Kim; Sung Soo Jung; Hee Sun Park; Jae Young Moon; Jeong Eun Lee Journal: J Thorac Dis Date: 2016-03 Impact factor: 2.895