Korean J Gastroenterol.  2000 Jul;36(1):54-60.

Clinico-Pathologic Characteristics of the Alpha-fetoprotein Producing Gastric Carcinoma

• Joo YH
• Jung HY
• Kang GH
• Youn HJ
• Kim SY
• Yang SK
• Hong WS
• Suh DJ
• Min YI

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) producing gastric carcinoma is a relatively rare subgroup of gastric carcinoma. It is characterized by early liver metastasis and poor prognosis. We examined its clinico-pathologic characteristics.
METHODS
Of the 3,809 patients with histologically proven gastric carcinomas, 540 cases of which serum AFP level were evaluated were selected. After excluding 30 cases of the hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, 32 cases of serum AFP level above 20 ng/ml were finally selected. We divided them histopatholgically and performed immunohistochemical staining for AFP. RESULTS: The prevalence of AFP-producing gastric carcinoma was 6.3% (32/510). Liver metastasis was observed in 84% (27/32). Nineteen cases of liver metastasis were detected at the first time of diagnosis. Eight cases of liver metastasis were developed during follow-up after treatment of cancer. Among them, five cases occurred at 7 months of follow-up after curative resection. Examination of the 28 pathological specimens revealed tubular type in 11 cases, hepatoid type in 8, solid type in 5, and clear type in 4. The result of immunohistochemical staining for AFP was positive in only 13 cases (46%) among which clear cell type showed the highest positive ratio (3/4, 75%). CONCLUSIONS: The AFP-producing gastric carcinoma needs special attention because it has early liver metastasis and poor prognosis.

Keyword

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP); Gastric carcinoma

MeSH Terms

alpha-Fetoproteins*
Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis
Humans
Liver
Liver Cirrhosis
Neoplasm Metastasis
Prevalence
Prognosis
alpha-Fetoproteins