title: Extremely high expression of serum alpha-fetoprotein level of gastric adenocarcinoma: a rare case with an unexpected well-prognosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer is a relatively rare form of stomach malignancy. Patients with higher serum AFP level (>300 ng/mL) will have a poorer prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we present a case of 77-year-old woman with an extremely high expression of serum AFP level (>10,000 ng/mL) of gastric cancer. Histological examination revealed gastric adenocarcinoma (Bormann III gastric tumor) invading into the serosal layer and vessel. After receiving a successful total gastrectomy with D2 dissection, this patient underwent chemotherapy with SOX [oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2/day) iv. at day 1 + S-1 (80 mg/m2/day) from day 1-day 14]. The patient remains alive without disease for 29 months after surgery. Serum AFP level decreased to normal range.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have evaluated the level of AFP, and discussed the reason for the good prognosis for this patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The good prognosis may be related with her early stage (N0 and without liver metastasis) and radical surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Jiefang Road #88, Hangzhou City, 310009 Zhejiang Province People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Jiefang Road #88, Hangzhou City, 310009 Zhejiang Province People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shou
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi City, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gong
keywords: AFP; Gastric cancer; Metastasis