α-Fetoprotein as a biochemical marker in patients with gynecologic malignancy

α-Fetoprotein (AFP) was measured by radioimmunoassay in the sera of 348 patients with gynecologic malignancies and 385 patients with benign gynecologic disease. Serum AFP was elevated (> 20 ng/ml) in 50% of patients with invasive cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, and in 20% of the control population ( p < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of AFP elevation in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and in those with benign gynecologic disease. Serum AFP levels returned to normal within 2 months following complete tumor excision or radiation therapy in patients without clinical evidence of persistent disease. α-Fetoprotein is an effective tumor marker in patients with ovarian germ cell tumors and may also be a useful biochemical monitor in selected patients with other types of gynecologic malignancy.