SPONTANEOUS REGRESSION OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

Aims: To determine the clinical and histopathological features of a ca se of a spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Case details: HCC was found incidentally in a 73-year-old man during a lap arotomy for evaluation of gastric retention, Despite no treatment bein g given, he improved gradually with no sign of tumour as evidenced by coeliac angiography 15 months later, as well as by explorative laparot omy after another 2 years, The patient died 15 years after the primary diagnosis of HCC, without known evidence of tumour recurrence, The pa tient's clinical records were reviewed, and paraffin-embedded liver ti ssue was re-evaluated, Both histological and immunohistochemical featu res were compatible with the diagnosis of a well differentiated HCC, C onceivable causes of the spontaneous regression of this and other repo rted cases are discussed, but the phenomenon remains enigmatic. Conclu sions: This case with a histologically proven HCC and a very long foll ow-up time confirms that spontaneous regression does occur. Since the case was found incidentally our report also implies that this may not be as rare as reported.