Abstract
Spontaneous regression of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is extremely rare. A 66-year-old Taiwanese male patient with liver cirrhosis related to chronic hepatitis C presented with hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis. At first, he refused curative therapy, except for silymarin medicine. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma occurred with a decline in tumour size and tumour marker in imaging studies. The patient agreed to undergo surgery approximately 14 months after presentation because of no further decrease in tumour size and an increase in tumour marker in the imaging studies. The resected tumour was hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thromboses. Presently, the patient is alive and in good condition without any symptoms or tumour recurrence. We concluded that this was a rare case of spontaneous regression of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Highlights
Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers, especially in Asia and Africa
Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma occurred with a decline in tumour size and tumour marker in imaging studies
In summary, we report spontaneous regression of advanced HCC in the case of a 66-year-old male patient
Summary
Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers, especially in Asia and Africa. We present a rare case of a patient with spontaneous regression of advanced HCC without any curative therapy. Ultrasonography in our outpatient department revealed a large tumour with central necrosis, measuring about 11 cm in diameter, occupying the right lobe and left hydronephrosis. We subsequently performed computed tomography (CT) of the liver, which revealed a large tumour with central necrosis, about 12 cm in diameter, located in segments 7 and 8 of the right lobe (Figure 1), along with left hydronephrosis and a ureter stone. CT scan of the liver was performed again and revealed HCC regression, with tumour size reduced to about 4.6 cm in diameter, and portal vein thrombosis (Figure 3). CT scan of the liver was performed prior to the surgery, revealing an HCC size similar to the previous readings and portal vein thrombosis. Twenty months after the surgery, the patient is doing well and has no signs of tumour recurrence
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