An Autopsied Case of Primary Small Cell Lung Cancer Associated with High Serum α-fetoprotein Levels

Abstract

A 62 year-old male case of primary lung cancer with high α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels was reported. He had complained of dry cough and general fatigue since May 1981. An abnormal shadow in the upper field of the right lung was pointed out on chest X-ray film. Serum AFP levels were as high as 18, 000ng/ml, and the CEA and LDH titers were also high. On autopsy only primary lung cancer (small cell carcinoa) was observed and there was no metastasis in the liver or other findings. The results of immunofluorescence studies suggested that the tumor tissue produced AFP.