Spontaneous Regression of a Carcinoid Tumor following Pregnancy

A Sewpaul,S J Johnson,J J French,A James,D Bargiela

doi:10.1155/2014/481823

Abstract

We present a case of spontaneous regression of a neuroendocrine tumor following pregnancy in the absence of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or alternative medicine (including herbal medicine). The diagnosis of a nonsecretory carcinoid tumor was confirmed using CT imaging, octreotide scan, and histology. Furthermore, serial imaging has demonstrated spontaneous regression of the carcinoid suggesting that pregnancy did not worsen the course of the disease but instead may have contributed to tumour regression. We discuss mechanisms underlying tumour regression and the possible effect of pregnancy on these processes.

Highlights

Carcinoid tumors were first described more than a century ago [1], but the treatment of patients with advanced disease remains a challenge to clinicians
Patients can have a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms that range from incidental findings of a polyp during endoscopy to the carcinoid syndrome characterized by severe flushing, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and lifethreatening right-sided heart failure [2]
In 1990, Challis and Stam [19] reported cases from 1900 to 1987, the majority of which occurred in renal cell carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, neuroblastoma, melanoma, breast cancer, and leukemia and lymphomas

Summary

Introduction

Carcinoid tumors were first described more than a century ago [1], but the treatment of patients with advanced disease remains a challenge to clinicians. They are rare endocrine tumors that can develop in several organs in the body. Surgical resection of the tumor is advocated in patients with localized disease and can often be curative [4]. In certain circumstances surgical resection for metastatic carcinoid tumors (MCTs) can prolong survival [5]. 5- and 10-year survival rates in patients with metastatic disease are favorable, tumors can be resistant to most forms of medical or surgical therapy [8]

Case Report

Findings

Discussion