A case of alpha-fetoprotein-producing minute mucosal gastric cancer

Abstract

The endoscopic examination of a 63-year-old man revealed a IIc lesion, 5mm in diameter, in the lesser curvature of the gastric body. His serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was high at 14.3ng/ml. Immunohistological studies on the biopsy specimens showed a positive reaction for AFP. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed that the tumor was limited to the second layer of the gastric wall and this tumor was diagnosed as mucosal cancer. The final diagnosis was AFP-producing mucosal gastric cancer (AFPMGC). Cases of AFPMGC are rarely encountered. The present case suggested that even minute mucosal gastric cancer could produce AFP.