Letter to the Editor

Spontaneous Regression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Potential Promise for the Future

Authors: Harsha Gadadhar Vardhana, MD, Mukta Panda, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


Worldwide there are approximately 1.2 million new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that arise annually, making this one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world.1 The incidence of HCC in the United States and Europe is on the rise with the increasing number of hepatitis B and C cases.2 Despite advances in detecting and managing malignant diseases, progress in the management of HCC has been minimal and the prognosis of advanced cases of HCC remains poor. Typically, survival time after onset of symptoms is less than six months.3 There have been a few case reports describing the spontaneous regression of HCC; however, the exact pathophysiology behind this phenomenon remains unknown. Spontaneous regression of malignancies in general, although rare, (around 1 per 60,000–100,000) has been documented.4

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References

1. O'Beirne JP Harrison PM. The role of immune system in the control of Hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Gastroenterology 2004;16:1257–1260.
 
2. El-Serag HB, Mason AC. Rising incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States. N Engl J Med 1999;340:745–750.
 
3. Okuda K, Ohtsuki T, Obata H, et al. Natural history of hepatocellular carcinoma and prognosis in relation to treatment. Study of 850 patients. Cancer 1985;56:918–928.
 
4. Cole WH. Efforts to explain spontaneous regression of cancer. J Surg Oncol 1981;17:201–209.Letters to the Editor