A Case of IIc + IIa Type Early Gastric Cancer Producing Alpha-fetoprotein

We report a case of early gastric cancer producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). A 59-year-old man was diagnosed by gastric X-ray and endoscopic ecamination as having IIc + IIa type early gastric cancer located in the anterior wall of the upper gastric body. The serum AFP level was elevated to 53.1ng/ml. Proximal gastrectomy with R2 lymph node dissection was performed. The serum AFP level decreased to 8.4ng/ml after the operation. Histopathological study showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma limited to the submucosal layer, without lymph node metastasis. The localization of AFP was immunohistochemically demonstrated in thecytoplasm of gastric cancer cells. The patient is alive without recurrence, and the serum AFP level is not elevated 1 year and 4 months after the operation.