[Hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein: report of a case].
BACKGROUND
Hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein is a rare disorder which exists with no simultaneous disease. The tenth case in the world (two brothers with seminoma and their father) is documented and a complete literature review was done.


METHODS
It is transmitted as an autosomal dominant; a disease point mutation has been identified. The failure to recognize hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein sometimes involves unjustified treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of this situation is probably underestimated and it could explain residual levels of alpha-fetoprotein.
Platini
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Service de radiothérapie et d'oncologie médicale, hôpital Notre Dame de Bon-Secours, CHR de Metz-Thionville, 1, place Philippe-de-Vigneulles, BP 81065, 57038 Metz, France. cplatini@wanadoo.fr
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D018239:Seminoma / Q000235:genetics*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins