title: Alpha-fetoprotein production by a malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary.
abstract: Elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a fetal serum protein, usually signal the development of hepatoma or germ cell tumors, including endodermal sinus tumors. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with an alpha-fetoprotein-producing malignant mixed Müllerian tumor (MMMT) of the ovary. Serum AFP was 5348 ng/ml at diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the carcinomatous component of this biphasic tumor was the seat of AFP production. After three cycles of combination chemotherapy, the patient achieved a complete remission. Serum AFP was strongly correlated with response to treatment. This is the first report of AFP production by a MMMT of the ovary without a yolk sac component.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Pathology, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille-Desmoulin, Villejuif, 94805, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rebischung
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pautier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morice
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lhomme
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duvillard
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D018200:Mixed Tumor, Mullerian / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins