APPROXIMATELY 40% of the 75,000 patients each year in the United States with colorectal cancer have conditions that are inoperable at the time of diagnosis.1 Long-term survival or spontaneous regression of the disease is rare. Everson and Cole2 found only seven cases of spontaneous regression from 1900 to 1966. These patients were followed up for periods of three to 18 years. Four additional Cases3-5 with survival of from nine to 14 years have since been reported.
We describe a 64-year-old man who survived widespread metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon for 28 years.
Report of a Case
In June 1950, the patient, then 36 years old, was admitted to the Lawrence and Memorial Hospitals of New London, Conn, with periomphalic pain of one week's duration and intestinal obstruction. A laparotomy was performed on June 15, 1950; the operation report states:Lying in the lower portion of the ascending