Spontaneous Regression of Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Male Breast with Ongoing Immune Response

Nijjar, Yugmel; Bigras, Gilbert; Tai, Patricia; Joseph, Kurian

doi:10.7759/cureus.3589

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…A thorough search in PubMed was performed in order to find all cases of epithelial BC–SR published so far (December 2022). Twenty-nine reported cases were found [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The results of our literature search are summarized in Table 1 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although breast carcinoma is a common malignancy, cases of SR described in the literature are extremely rare [ 3 , 6 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Hundreds of tumor regressions published so far have been reviewed; however, to date, only twenty-nine cases of regressed epithelial breast cancer can be considered reliable [ 3 , 6 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. We noticed that most of the patients were female in a wide age range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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What Can Trigger Spontaneous Regression of Breast Cancer?

et al. 2023

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Background: Spontaneous regression of tumors is a rare phenomenon in which cancer volume is reduced or, alternatively, a tumor completely disappears in the absence of any pharmacological treatment. This phenomenon has previously been described in several tumors, such as neuroblastomas, testicular malignancies, renal cell carcinomas, melanomas, and lymphomas. Spontaneous remission has also been documented in breast cancer; however, it represents an extremely rare and poorly understood phenomenon, with only a few reported cases in the literature. Methods: We herein report two cases of breast cancer that showed spontaneous tumor regression in the surgical specimen after a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in core needle biopsy samples. Results: Macroscopically, both the surgical samples revealed a whitish, fibrous area with a rubbery consistency. On histological examination, diffuse fibrous tissue, hemosiderin deposition, and chronic inflammation were observed. The first case showed the complete disappearance of the tumor, whereas the second case showed just a small (3 mm), residual nest of neoplastic cells. Conclusions: Although spontaneous regression of breast cancer is a rare event, it is important to know that it might happen. It is also of great importance to try to better explain, over time, its underlying mechanism. This knowledge could help us to further develop cancer prevention methods and predict the clinical course of these kinds of neoplasms.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Can Trigger Spontaneous Regression of Breast Cancer?

et al. 2023

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“…A relevant aspect in MCC pathology is tumor regression, a known phenomenon that occurs in some tumors, such as melanomas, but is rare in MCC with an estimated incidence betwen 1.5% -3%. 7,8 There are no known predictors of tumor regression, as its mechanism is not fully understood. The regression process is probably related to a T-cell immune reaction, linked to the activation of a response stimulated by surgical intervention and apoptosis.…”

Section: Case Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this sense, these findings raise the possible influence of the immune response mediated by T cells in the tumor regression process, leading to apoptosis and cell necrosis. 7,8 There are reports, including metastatic MCC that presented regression. Studies have shown that stage III MCC with unknown primary site had a more favorable prognosis than those with an identified primary site, which demonstrates an important role in the immune mechanism regarding the evolution of the disease, even with nodal dissemination.…”

Section: Case Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regression of a Merkel cell carcinoma in the hypothenar region: a case report

Trocoli-Couto¹,

Santos²,

Farias³

et al. 2023

JCPCR

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Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplasm with a poor prognosis. It usually affects white-skinned old individuals in areas chronically exposed to solar radiation. MCC's spontaneous regression is a mechanism not yet clearly understood. It is a known fact and a rare occurrence in MCC, after biopsy or incomplete resection has been performed. Considering the rarity of this type of occurrence, we will describe a clinical case treated at Hospital da Baleia, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The report will address a male patient, 72 years old, leukodermic, with systemic arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and vitiligo. He was referred to the surgery department with a lesion in the right hypothenar region with an onset 4 months before admission, and presented with tumor regression after biopsy. Data was assembled through the analysis of the patient's medical record, after declared authorization, open interview with the patient at the time of follow-up appointments to the hospital's outpatient clinic, and analysis of photographic records of the injury before and after the instituted therapy.

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“…The burned-out tumors represent tumors presenting SR followed by metastases[ 21 , 22 ]. With regard to NENs, SR of the tumor has been reported in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), bile duct NET, and both lung and gastric large-cell NECs[ 23 - 26 ]. Longo et al [ 27 ] reported a case of inguinal lymphadenopathy histologically corresponding to MCC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bone marrow metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma with unknown primary site: A case report and review of the literature

Shi¹,

Deng²,

Jin³

2022

World J Clin Cases

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BACKGROUND Metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of bone marrow is uncommon. Here, we report a case of bone marrow metastatic NEC with an unknown primary site. CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to our hospital because marked chest distress and asthma lasting 1 d on March 18, 2018. She was initially diagnosed with pulmonary infection, cardiac insufficiency, thrombocytopenia and severe anemia. Following treatment with antibiotic therapy, diuresis and blood transfusion, the patient’s symptoms greatly improved. After bone marrow examinations, the patient was diagnosed with bone marrow metastatic NEC, bone marrow necrosis (BMN) and secondary myelofibrosis (MF). Further imaging workup did not show the primary tumor, we presumed that the primary site might regress spontaneously or merely be unexplored due to lack of positron emission tomography with gallium peptide. Everolimus (10 mg/d) was added to the treatment and the best supportive and symptomatic therapies were also administered. Unfortunately, the patient’s condition continued to deteriorate and she died on May 15, 2018. CONCLUSION Bone marrow invasion of NEC is rare and our patient who suffered from bone marrow metastatic NEC as well as secondary BMN and MF had an extremely poor prognosis. Bone marrow biopsy plays an important role in the diagnosis of solid tumors invading bone marrow.

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Spontaneous Regression of Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Male Breast with Ongoing Immune Response

Cited by 6 publications

References 12 publications

What Can Trigger Spontaneous Regression of Breast Cancer?

What Can Trigger Spontaneous Regression of Breast Cancer?

Regression of a Merkel cell carcinoma in the hypothenar region: a case report

Bone marrow metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma with unknown primary site: A case report and review of the literature

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