Spontaneous regression of esophageal carcinoma with pulmonary metastases: case report

The first description of a spontaneous regression of a primary esophageal carcinoma with progressive growth of multiple pulmonary metastases is reported, and the possible cause of the spontaneous regression is discussed briefly with reference to T cell subsets. A 78-year-old Japanese man underwent an esophageal bypass with gastric substitution for carcinoma of the middle to lower third of the intrathoracic esophagus with aortic invasion. Two months after the operation, multiple pulmonary metastases were documented and were seen to progress gradually over the next six months. Seven months later, all the secondary lesions underwent a complete spontaneous regression. The primary lesion also regressed, but did not disappear completely. It was not possible to establish whether a change in T cell subsets was the cause or an effect of the regression.