High alpha-fetoprotein level in HCV-related nodular liver cell dysplasia

Am J Gastroenterol. 1999 Aug;94(8):2296-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.01319.x.

Abstract

The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma is generally made in patients with a mass lesion in the cirrhotic liver if the alpha-fetoprotein level is >1,000 ng/L. Other causes of elevation of alpha-fetoprotein to this extreme degree include nonseminomatous germ cell tumor and hepatic metastasis. However, it is extremely rare for benign hepatic lesions to cause alpha-fetoprotein of > 1,000 ng/ml. We report a Chinese patient with spontaneous normalization of alpha-fetoprotein with an initial value > 10,000 ng/ml due to nodular dysplasia complicating hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis. The alpha-fetoprotein was secreted from the dysplastic liver cells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology*
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology*
  • Male
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins