Exaggerated serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein in focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker routinely used for the diagnosis and follow-up of malignant neoplasms. We report a case of extremely high serum levels of AFP associated with benign lesions of the liver and of the lungs with a spontaneous and gradual drop to normal values in the 9-month fol...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lorenzo Cirri, Farouk Dahmash, Christian Marin, Wolfram Grüning, Ahmet H. Elmaagacli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-08-01
Series:Gastroenterology Insights
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/gi/article/view/6399
Description
Summary:Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker routinely used for the diagnosis and follow-up of malignant neoplasms. We report a case of extremely high serum levels of AFP associated with benign lesions of the liver and of the lungs with a spontaneous and gradual drop to normal values in the 9-month follow-up without any form of treatment. As a result a high serum level of AFP does not necessarily indicate a malignant tumor and every patient presenting with such finding must be thoroughly examined before making a definitive diagnosis.
ISSN:2036-7414
2036-7422