Spontaneous regression of malignant tumors: Report of a twelve-year spontaneous complete regression of anextensive fibrosarcoma, with speculations about regression and dormancy

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> <ul>o<li>1.Malignant tumors frequently show fluctuation in rate of growth. Some have periods of very slow and then rapid growth. Some are slow tometastasize or the metastases may be dormant for many years. There are a few proved cases of malignant tumors that have completely regressed without any therapy.</li><li>2.Most of the cases reported as "spontaneous cures" cannot be accepted when examinedcritically. To aid in the segregation of cases of complete spontaneous regression, a list of criteria is proposed.</li><li>3.A case is reported of a girl who had an extensive ftbrosarcoma when five months of age, received no treatment and is now entirely well at thirteen years of age.</li><li>4.A list of possible factors concerned in spontaneous regression of malignant tumors is presented.</li><li>5.The various theories which have been suggested to explain late recurrence and metastasis are discussed.</li><li>6.The variability of rate of growth of all types of malignant tumors must be considered when evaluating a particular type of therapy or inestimating the prognosis.</li></ul>