High alpha-fetoprotein level in HCV-related nodular liver cell dysplasia.
The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma is generally made in patients with a mass lesion in the cirrhotic liver if the alpha-fetoprotein level is >1,000 ng/L. Other causes of elevation of alpha-fetoprotein to this extreme degree include nonseminomatous germ cell tumor and hepatic metastasis. However, it is extremely rare for benign hepatic lesions to cause alpha-fetoprotein of > 1,000 ng/ml. We report a Chinese patient with spontaneous normalization of alpha-fetoprotein with an initial value > 10,000 ng/ml due to nodular dysplasia complicating hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis. The alpha-fetoprotein was secreted from the dysplastic liver cells.
Ng
F H
FH
Department of Medicine, Ruttonjee Hospital, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China.
Chow
K C
KC
Cheng
C S
CS
Kng
C
C
Ng
W F
WF
Wong
B C
BC
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000473:pathology*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins