Alpha-fetoprotein-producing pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma.
A 47-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B had progressive elevated alpha-fetoprotein of 2 years' duration. A pancreatic tail tumor, instead of liver tumor, was detected. He underwent elective distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy and the pathology turned out to be acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Serum level of alpha-fetoprotein returned to normal soon after surgery. No cancer recurrence was noted after 3 years of follow-up. Alpha-fetoprotein is commonly used as a tumor marker to screen for hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk patients. However, elevated alpha-fetoprotein could occur in a much rarer disease, acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas.
Lin
Yang-Chao
YC
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lee
Po-Huang
PH
Yao
Yu-Tung
YT
Hsiao
Jong-Kai
JK
Sheu
Jin-Chuan
JC
Chen
Chien-Hung
CH
D018267:Carcinoma, Acinar Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins