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Case Reports
. 2023 May 17;15(5):e39128.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.39128. eCollection 2023 May.

Complete Spontaneous Regression of Colorectal Cancer: A Report of Two Cases

Paul W Shuttleworth  1 , Sana Ullah  2 , Michael Scott  3 , Shariq Sabri  1 , Mamoon Solkar  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Complete Spontaneous Regression of Colorectal Cancer: A Report of Two Cases

Paul W Shuttleworth et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Spontaneous regression of cancer is rare, and rarer still in colorectal cancer. We present a report of two cases of spontaneous regression of histologically proven proximal colonic cancers described in detail, alongside endoscopic, histological, and radiological images. We discussed the potential mechanisms by reviewing previous literature.

Keywords: cancer colon; cancer immunotherapy; colorectal cancer; histology; spontaneous regression of cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. CTVC demonstrating ascending colonic thickening.
CTVC: computed tomography virtual colonoscopy
Figure 2
Figure 2. Endoscopic image of the ascending colonic lesion demonstrating ulceration and fibrin deposition.
Figure 3
Figure 3. HA1 - H&E stains of the initial biopsy showing fragments of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 4
Figure 4. HA2 - H&E stains of the initial biopsy showing fragments of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 5
Figure 5. HA3 - H&E stains of the initial biopsy showing fragments of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 6
Figure 6. HA4 - H&E stains of the initial biopsy showing fragments of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 7
Figure 7. HA5 - immunostaining for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3) showing strong positivity in the tumor cells.
Figure 8
Figure 8. HA6 - immunostaining for CDX2 showing weak focal nuclear staining in the tumor cells.
Figure 9
Figure 9. HA9 - gross photo of the resection specimen showing a small ulcerated stricture (pointed out with scalpel tip).
Figure 10
Figure 10. HA8 - H&E stains of sections from the bowel resection showing focal ulceration and an inflammatory infiltrate with no residual adenocarcinoma seen.
Figure 11
Figure 11. HA7 - H&E stains of sections from the bowel resection showing focal ulceration and an inflammatory infiltrate with no residual adenocarcinoma seen.
Figure 12
Figure 12. Endoscopic image showing malignant lesion.
Figure 13
Figure 13. Lesion post-biopsy.
Figure 14
Figure 14. HA2.1 - H&E stains showing high-grade dysplasia and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 15
Figure 15. HA2.2 - H&E stains showing high-grade dysplasia and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 16
Figure 16. HA2.3 - H&E stains showing high-grade dysplasia and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 17
Figure 17. HA2.4 - H&E stains showing high-grade dysplasia and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 18
Figure 18. HA2.5 - H&E stains showing high-grade dysplasia and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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