AFP-producing gastric carcinoma

Abstract

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric carcinoma is a rare subtype of gastric cancer that produces AFP. As an oncogenic glycoprotein that is normally expressed during gestation, AFP is also used as a biomarker for yolk sac tumors, tumors of gonadal origin, hepatocellular carcinoma, and certain gastric carcinomas. Compared with other gastric cancer subtypes, AFP-producing gastric carcinoma is one of the most aggressive gastric tumors due to its high incidence of early liver and lymph node metastasis. Early metastasis and poor prognosis are attributed to the effect of AFP as a growth factor. Tissue biopsy with immunohistochemical staining is helpful in arriving at the diagnosis and differentiating it from metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Although currently there is no standard treatment for AFP-producing gastric carcinoma, surgical resection and chemotherapy have been used.

Keywords

• Alpha-fetoprotein
• Gastric carcinoma
• Extrahepatic AFP-producing carcinoma
• Hepatoid adenocarcinoma
• SALL4