A Long-term Survival Case of Alpha-fetoprotein Producing Barrett Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Yoshimasa Akashi, Yosuke Izumi, Tsuyoshi Kato and Akinori Miura

Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital

We report a long-term survival case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) producing esophageal carcinoma after radical resection. A 49-year-old man admitted with dysphagia was found to have advanced carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. Barrett's epithelium was found around tumor. Preoperative serum AFP was 89.8 ng/ml, necessitating lower esophagectomy and total gastrectomy. Histopathological studies showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymph node metastasis. Tumor cells had clear cytoplasm and immunohistochemical staining for AFP was positive. Serum AFP concentration decreased and the man is alive without recurrence eight years after surgery. Since the operative curability is a factor associated with the survival of patients with AFP producing carcinoma, it is necessary to carry out an adequate operation.

Key words
Barrett esophageal adenocarcinoma, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), esophagogastric junction

Reprint requests
Yoshimasa Akashi Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital
3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo, 113-8677 JAPAN

Accepted
October 22, 2008

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