Alpha-fetoprotein-producing primary lung carcinoma: A case report

• Main Authors: Tokusashi Yoshihiko, Hayashi Satoshi, Matsuda Yoshinari, Sato Kazuhiro, Ozawa Keisuke, Kitada Masahiro, Miyokawa Naoyuki, Sasajima Tadahiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-05-01
• Series: World Journal of Surgical Oncology
• Online Access: http://www.wjso.com/content/9/1/47

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing lung adenocarcinoma is a rare type of lung cancer, with its characteristics not yet fully clarified. We recently encountered a case of this type of lung cancer. The patient was a 69-year-old man who consulted an internist with the chief complaint of epigastric pain. Chest X-ray and CT revealed a lobulated mass measuring 70 mm in diameter in the right lower lung field and a metastasis in the right hilar lymph nodes. Of the tumor markers, the serum AFP was elevated (4620 ng/ml), and the serum carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 were also slightly elevated. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed the diagnosis of lung cancer. Under thoracoscopic assistance, right lower lobectomy + mediastinal lymph node dissection was carried out. Immunostaining showed the tumor cells to be AFP-positive. The tumor was thus diagnosed as an AFP-producing lung adenocarcinoma. The patient followed an uneventful clinical course after the surgery, with serum AFP decreasing to the normal range by about 2 weeks after the surgery. As of this writing, no sign of tumor recurrence has been noted. This case is presented here with a review of the literature.</p>