title: Alpha-FP normalization as a prognostic factor for mediastinal origin embryonal carcinoma: report of five cases.
abstract: It is well known that a subgroup of germ cell tumors, embryonal carcinoma of extra-gonadal origin have a poor prognosis. We have encountered five cases of mediastinal embryonal carcinoma treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HD-CT) supported by auto-PBSCT in four, and resection in three. Our cases indicated that normalization of the alpha-FP tumor marker level during standard chemotherapy is a very important factor for cure, and the resection of the residual mass after chemotherapy is indicated due to the great risk of remnant malignant cells despite HD-CT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute of Development, Age and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai.
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murakawa
authors.forename: Nobuaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Satake
authors.forename: Syunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Takasi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yosioka
authors.forename: Ryunosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kanamaru
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins