title: Alpha Fetoprotein-Secreting Gastric Cancer in the Setting of Chronic Hepatitis B: The Role of Endoscopy.
abstract: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a common tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report a unique case of an AFP-producing gastric cancer in an elderly man with known chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and a markedly elevated AFP. Thorough diagnostic imaging failed to reveal a HCC, but a gastric adenocarcinoma was found on endoscopy. After successful resection, the serum AFP normalized. On histopathologic examination, the cancer demonstrated focal positive staining for AFP, in keeping with a hepatoid gastric adenocarcinoma. Endoscopy should be considered in clinical situations where increased serum AFP is detected but no HCC is found.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Wc Peter
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Kwan