Positive Alpha-Fetoglobulin in a Case of Gastric Carcinoma

Abstract

ALPHA-fetoglobulin is a protein found in the serum of many patients with a primary hepatoma and in occasional patients with primitive gonadal tumors. Its presence in gastrointestinal cancers is not generally appreciated.^{1 2 3 4} Case ReportA 69-year-old man was admitted to the New England Medical Center Hospitals with increasing epigastric pain and anorexia of several months' duration. Six months earlier, a transurethral prostatic resection had been performed for symptoms of prostatism. The resected specimens showed prostatic adenocarcinoma.On physical examination, multiple spider angiomas were present on the fingers and lips. The liver was firm, hard and grossly enlarged. The stool guaiac . . .