Immunocytochemical presentation of alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer in ascitic fluid: a case study.
A case of primary gastric cancer without hepatic metastasis showing extremely high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels is reported. This case illustrates the application of the immuno-peroxidase technique to ascitic fluid cytology. Papanicolaou-stained smears of the ascites permitted the diagnosis of a metastatic carcinoma. A positive reaction to AFP was demonstrated in the tumor cells in the ascitic fluid cellular samples as well as in the paraffin-embedded tissue section of the primary gastric carcinoma. Rising AFP levels were also detected in ascitic fluid. AFP fractionation using lectin-affinity-crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis showed the hepatic rather than yolk sac type. Reports of such occurrences are few; no study, to the best of our knowledge, has previously documented cytological and immunocytochemical diagnosis in ascitic fluid. AFP-producing gastric cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Kobayashi
T K
TK
Department of Cytopathology, Saiseikai Shiga Hospital, Japan.
Gotoh
T
T
Kamachi
M
M
Watanabe
S
S
Sawaragi
I
I
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins