Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences 9/2016

01-09-2016 | Case Report

Spontaneous Regression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Lung Metastases: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Authors: Eirini Pectasides, Rebecca Miksad, Sergey Pyatibrat, Amogh Srivastava, Andrea Bullock

Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences | Issue 9/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare event. Here we present a case of spontaneous regression of metastatic HCC. A 53-year-old man with hepatitis C and alcoholic cirrhosis was found to have a large liver mass consistent with HCC based on its radiographic features. Imaging also revealed left portal and hepatic vein thrombosis, as well as multiple lung nodules concerning for metastases. Approximately 2 months after the initial diagnosis, both the primary liver lesion and the lung metastases decreased in size and eventually resolved without any intervention. Thereafter, the left hepatic vein thrombus progressed into the inferior vena cava and the right atrium, and the patient died due to right heart failure. In this case report and literature review, we discuss the potential mechanisms for and review the literature on spontaneous regression of metastatic HCC.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Jemal A, Bray F, Center MM, Ferlay J, Ward E, Forman D. Global cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 2011;61:69–90.CrossRefPubMed Jemal A, Bray F, Center MM, Ferlay J, Ward E, Forman D. Global cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 2011;61:69–90.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Prospective validation of the CLIP score: a new prognostic system for patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) Investigators. Hepatology. 2000;31:840–845. Prospective validation of the CLIP score: a new prognostic system for patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) Investigators. Hepatology. 2000;31:840–845.
4.
5.
go back to reference Cole WH. Spontaneous regression of cancer and the importance of finding its cause. Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 1976;44:5–9.PubMed Cole WH. Spontaneous regression of cancer and the importance of finding its cause. Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 1976;44:5–9.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Bruix J, Sherman M, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Management of hepatocellular carcinoma: an update. Hepatology. 2011;1020–1022. Bruix J, Sherman M, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Management of hepatocellular carcinoma: an update. Hepatology. 2011;1020–1022.
7.
go back to reference Okuma K, Yamashita H, Niibe Y, Hayakawa K, Nakagawa K. Abscopal effect of radiation on lung metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2011;5:111.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Okuma K, Yamashita H, Niibe Y, Hayakawa K, Nakagawa K. Abscopal effect of radiation on lung metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2011;5:111.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Nam SW, Han J-Y, Kim JI, et al. Spontaneous regression of a large hepatocellular carcinoma with skull metastasis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;20:488–492.CrossRefPubMed Nam SW, Han J-Y, Kim JI, et al. Spontaneous regression of a large hepatocellular carcinoma with skull metastasis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;20:488–492.CrossRefPubMed
9.
10.
go back to reference Abiru S, Kato Y, Hamasaki K, Nakao K, Nakata K, Eguchi K. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with elevated levels of interleukin 18. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97:774–775.CrossRefPubMed Abiru S, Kato Y, Hamasaki K, Nakao K, Nakata K, Eguchi K. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with elevated levels of interleukin 18. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97:774–775.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Okamura H, Tsutsi H, Komatsu T, et al. Cloning of a new cytokine that induces IFN-gamma production by T cells. Nature. 1995;378:88–91.CrossRefPubMed Okamura H, Tsutsi H, Komatsu T, et al. Cloning of a new cytokine that induces IFN-gamma production by T cells. Nature. 1995;378:88–91.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Tanaka F, Hashimoto W, Okamura H, Robbins PD, Lotze MT, Tahara H. Rapid generation of potent and tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by interleukin 18 using dendritic cells and natural killer cells. Cancer Res. 2000;60:4838–4844.PubMed Tanaka F, Hashimoto W, Okamura H, Robbins PD, Lotze MT, Tahara H. Rapid generation of potent and tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by interleukin 18 using dendritic cells and natural killer cells. Cancer Res. 2000;60:4838–4844.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Kumar T, Patel N, Talwar A. Spontaneous regression of thoracic malignancies. Respir Med. 2010;104:1543–1550.CrossRefPubMed Kumar T, Patel N, Talwar A. Spontaneous regression of thoracic malignancies. Respir Med. 2010;104:1543–1550.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Heianna J, Miyauchi T, Suzuki T, Ishida H, Hashimoto M, Watarai J. Spontaneous regression of multiple lung metastases following regression of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial embolization. A case report. Hepatogastroenterology. 2007;54:1560–1562.PubMed Heianna J, Miyauchi T, Suzuki T, Ishida H, Hashimoto M, Watarai J. Spontaneous regression of multiple lung metastases following regression of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial embolization. A case report. Hepatogastroenterology. 2007;54:1560–1562.PubMed
15.
go back to reference Lam KC, Ho JC, Yeung RT. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case study. Cancer. 1982;50:332–336.CrossRefPubMed Lam KC, Ho JC, Yeung RT. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case study. Cancer. 1982;50:332–336.CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Okano A, Ohana M, Kusumi F, Nabeshima M. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma due to disruption of the feeding artery. Case Rep Oncol. 2013;6:180–185.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Okano A, Ohana M, Kusumi F, Nabeshima M. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma due to disruption of the feeding artery. Case Rep Oncol. 2013;6:180–185.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
go back to reference Tomino T, Yamashita Y-I, Iguchi T, et al. Spontaneous massive necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with narrowing and occlusion of the arteries and portal veins. Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2014;8:148–155.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Tomino T, Yamashita Y-I, Iguchi T, et al. Spontaneous massive necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with narrowing and occlusion of the arteries and portal veins. Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2014;8:148–155.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.
go back to reference Imaoka S, Sasaki Y, Masutani S, et al. Necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma caused by spontaneously arising arterial thrombus. Hepatogastroenterology. 1994;41:359–362.PubMed Imaoka S, Sasaki Y, Masutani S, et al. Necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma caused by spontaneously arising arterial thrombus. Hepatogastroenterology. 1994;41:359–362.PubMed
19.
go back to reference Iiai T, Sato Y, Nabatame N, Yamamoto S, Makino S, Hatakeyama K. Spontaneous complete regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus. Hepatogastroenterology. 2003;50:1628–1630.PubMed Iiai T, Sato Y, Nabatame N, Yamamoto S, Makino S, Hatakeyama K. Spontaneous complete regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus. Hepatogastroenterology. 2003;50:1628–1630.PubMed
20.
go back to reference Alqutub A, Peck D, Marotta P. Spontaneous regression of a large hepatocellular carcinoma: case report. Ger Med Sci. 2011;9:Doc07. Alqutub A, Peck D, Marotta P. Spontaneous regression of a large hepatocellular carcinoma: case report. Ger Med Sci. 2011;9:Doc07.
21.
go back to reference Sato Y, Fujiwara K, Nakagawa S, et al. A case of spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with bone metastasis. Cancer. 1985;56:667–671.CrossRefPubMed Sato Y, Fujiwara K, Nakagawa S, et al. A case of spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with bone metastasis. Cancer. 1985;56:667–671.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Harimoto N, Shirabe K, Kajiyama K, et al. Spontaneous regression of multiple pulmonary recurrences of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: report of a case. Surg Today. 2012;42:475–478.CrossRefPubMed Harimoto N, Shirabe K, Kajiyama K, et al. Spontaneous regression of multiple pulmonary recurrences of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: report of a case. Surg Today. 2012;42:475–478.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Storey RE, Huerta AL, Khan A, Laber DA. Spontaneous complete regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Med Oncol. 2011;28:948–950.CrossRefPubMed Storey RE, Huerta AL, Khan A, Laber DA. Spontaneous complete regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Med Oncol. 2011;28:948–950.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Kojima H, Tanigawa N, Kariya S, et al. A case of spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple lung metastases. Radiat Med. 2006;24:139–142.CrossRefPubMed Kojima H, Tanigawa N, Kariya S, et al. A case of spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple lung metastases. Radiat Med. 2006;24:139–142.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Kondo S, Okusaka T, Ueno H, Ikeda M, Morizane C. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol. 2006;11:407–411.CrossRefPubMed Kondo S, Okusaka T, Ueno H, Ikeda M, Morizane C. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol. 2006;11:407–411.CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Han S-B, Lee CW, Kang JS, et al. Acidic polysaccharide from Phellinus linteus inhibits melanoma cell metastasis by blocking cell adhesion and invasion. Int Immunopharmacol. 2006;6:697–702.CrossRefPubMed Han S-B, Lee CW, Kang JS, et al. Acidic polysaccharide from Phellinus linteus inhibits melanoma cell metastasis by blocking cell adhesion and invasion. Int Immunopharmacol. 2006;6:697–702.CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Yang B-K, Hwang S-L, Yun I-J, et al. Antitumor effects and immunomodulating activities of Phellinus linteus extract in a CT-26 cell-injected colon cancer mouse model. Mycobiology. 2009;37:128–132.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Yang B-K, Hwang S-L, Yun I-J, et al. Antitumor effects and immunomodulating activities of Phellinus linteus extract in a CT-26 cell-injected colon cancer mouse model. Mycobiology. 2009;37:128–132.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
28.
go back to reference Sliva D, Jedinak A, Kawasaki J, Harvey K, Slivova V. Phellinus linteus suppresses growth, angiogenesis and invasive behaviour of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of AKT signalling. Br J Cancer. 2008;98:1348–1356.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Sliva D, Jedinak A, Kawasaki J, Harvey K, Slivova V. Phellinus linteus suppresses growth, angiogenesis and invasive behaviour of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of AKT signalling. Br J Cancer. 2008;98:1348–1356.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
29.
go back to reference McCaughan GW, Bilous MJ, Gallagher ND. Long-term survival with tumor regression in androgen-induced liver tumors. Cancer. 1985;56:2622–2626.CrossRefPubMed McCaughan GW, Bilous MJ, Gallagher ND. Long-term survival with tumor regression in androgen-induced liver tumors. Cancer. 1985;56:2622–2626.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Nouso K, Uematsu S, Shiraga K, et al. Regression of hepatocellular carcinoma during vitamin K administration. World J Gastroenterol. 2005;11:6722–6724.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Nouso K, Uematsu S, Shiraga K, et al. Regression of hepatocellular carcinoma during vitamin K administration. World J Gastroenterol. 2005;11:6722–6724.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
31.
go back to reference Lim DH, Park KW, Lee SI. Spontaneous complete regression of multiple metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report. Oncol Lett. 2014;7:1225–1228.PubMedPubMedCentral Lim DH, Park KW, Lee SI. Spontaneous complete regression of multiple metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report. Oncol Lett. 2014;7:1225–1228.PubMedPubMedCentral
32.
go back to reference Ikeda M, Okada S, Ueno H, Okusaka T, Kuriyama H. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple lung metastases: a case report. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2001;31:454–458.CrossRefPubMed Ikeda M, Okada S, Ueno H, Okusaka T, Kuriyama H. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple lung metastases: a case report. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2001;31:454–458.CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Toyoda H, Sugimura S, Fukuda K, Mabuchi T. Hepatocellular carcinoma with spontaneous regression of multiple lung metastases. Pathol Int. 1999;49:893–897.CrossRefPubMed Toyoda H, Sugimura S, Fukuda K, Mabuchi T. Hepatocellular carcinoma with spontaneous regression of multiple lung metastases. Pathol Int. 1999;49:893–897.CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference Jeon S-W, Lee M-K, Lee Y-D, et al. Clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma with spontaneous regression of primary and metastatic lesions. Korean J Int Med. 2005;20:268–273.CrossRef Jeon S-W, Lee M-K, Lee Y-D, et al. Clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma with spontaneous regression of primary and metastatic lesions. Korean J Int Med. 2005;20:268–273.CrossRef
35.
36.
go back to reference Saito T, Naito M, Matsumura Y, et al. Spontaneous regression of a large hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple lung metastases. Gut Liver. 2014;8:569–574.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Saito T, Naito M, Matsumura Y, et al. Spontaneous regression of a large hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple lung metastases. Gut Liver. 2014;8:569–574.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
37.
go back to reference Kato H, Nakamura M, Muramatsu M, Orito E, Ueda R, Mizokami M. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma: two case reports and a literature review. Hepatol Res. 2004;29:180–190.CrossRefPubMed Kato H, Nakamura M, Muramatsu M, Orito E, Ueda R, Mizokami M. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma: two case reports and a literature review. Hepatol Res. 2004;29:180–190.CrossRefPubMed
38.
go back to reference Arora N, Madhusudhana S. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular cancer: case report and review of literature. Gastrointest Cancer Res. 2011;4:141–143.PubMedPubMedCentral Arora N, Madhusudhana S. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular cancer: case report and review of literature. Gastrointest Cancer Res. 2011;4:141–143.PubMedPubMedCentral
Metadata
Title
Spontaneous Regression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Lung Metastases: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors
Eirini Pectasides
Rebecca Miksad
Sergey Pyatibrat
Amogh Srivastava
Andrea Bullock
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Digestive Diseases and Sciences / Issue 9/2016
Print ISSN: 0163-2116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2568
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-016-4141-2

Other articles of this Issue 9/2016

Digestive Diseases and Sciences 9/2016 Go to the issue
Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.

Prof. Kevin Dolgin
Prof. Florian Limbourg
Prof. Anoop Chauhan
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.