Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein in a patient with undifferentiated carcinoma of the gall bladder.
An uncommon case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the gall bladder in a 65 year old Chinese man, who presented with an increased serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration, is reported. Histologically, the tumour had a primitive appearance and was composed of a pavement-like array of poorly differentiated columnar/polygonal cells. Alpha-fetoprotein was demonstrated in some of the tumour cells using an immunoperoxidase technique. Alpha-fetoprotein secretion in this instance may have occurred because the gall bladder and the liver are of similar embryological origin. Alpha-fetoprotein may also be related to the resurgent expression of oncofetal antigens. This tumour may represent another rare cause of increased serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations.
Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins