title: Alpha-fetoprotein producing undifferentiated carcinoma of the bladder.
abstract: We report on a rare primary undifferentiated carcinoma of the bladder producing alpha-fetoprotein in a woman. Definitive features included an aggressive, invasive and rapidly growing tumor with a hepatoid carcinomatous lesion on histological examination. Histopathological findings suggested that the multipotent transitional cell induces production of alpha-fetoprotein. The association of an aggressive tumor with the ability to produce this antigen suggests a possible benefit in measuring serum alpha-fetoprotein levels and examining histological sections for its expression in primary undifferentiated carcinoma of the bladder. Further study may indicate radical cystectomy when the resected specimen produces alpha-fetoprotein, particularly if tumors appear to be aggressive and highly vascularized as in our case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujioka
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ebihara
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiriyama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akimoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins