Controversy exists as to whether some breast cancers spontaneously regress without treatment. Regression of malignant breast neoplasms contradicts the long-accepted natural history of the disease and may have implications on the efficacy of breast cancer screening programs. We present a case in which a breast cancer regressed following cessation of hormone replacement therapy and consider the biologic basis and implications of breast neoplasms that depart from the accepted model of progressive tumor growth.
Keywords: AACR, American Association for Cancer Research; CC, craniocaudal; DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ; ER/PR, estrogen/progesterone receptors; Gd-DTPA, gadopentate dimeglumine-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate; HRT, hormone replacement therapy; MLO, mediolateral oblique; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; WHI, Women's Health Initiative.