SERUM ALPHA‐FOETOPROTEIN AS A MARKER FOR ENDODERMAL SINUS TUMOUR (YOLK SAC TUMOUR) OR A VITELLINE COMPONENT OF ‘TERATOCARCINOMA’

Abstract

The correlation between serum .alpha.-foetoprotein (AFP) and the clinical pathological finding of 24 germ cell tumors arising from the testes (14 cases), ovaries (3 cases), mediastinum (3 cases), retroperitoneal region (2 cases) and sacrococcygeal region(2 cases) are presented. Irrespective of marked differences in age and sex of the patients, primary site of the tumors and clinical outcome, the 24 cases constituted a homogeneous group in fundamental histological patterns and AFP synthesis. In all cases of endodermal sinus tumor or teratocarcinomas with a distinct vitelline component, increased serum AFP concentrations were found in the preoperative serum samples. AFP was also demonstrated in the tumor tissue by quantitative determination of AFP in tumor homogenate (5 cases) and, by immunofluorescence technique, positive staining of the cells lining the endodermal sinuses and the hyaline globules was found (3 cases). In 12 germ cell tumors without vitelline components in the tumor tissue sections, a normal AFP concentration below 20 .mu.g/l was found in preoperative serum samples.