A giant tumor of the mesocolon found to be metastasis from an alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric carcinoma: report of a case

Surg Today. 1993;23(11):1006-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00308979.

Abstract

We present herein an extremely rare case of metastasis from a gastric carcinoma to the mesocolon. A 71-year-old woman underwent a laparotomy for gastric cancer with an intra-abdominal mass. Her serum alpha-fetoprotein level was very high at 3,560 ng/ml. The abdominal mass was subsequently revealed to be a metastatic tumor of the transverse mesocolon derived from an alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric carcinoma, but no other metastatic focus was found. An immunohistochemical study revealed alpha-fetoprotein-positive cells in both lesions. The serum alpha-fetoprotein level became normal after the operation which was followed by a course of chemotherapy, and no recurrence has been observed thus far in 6 months of follow up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mesocolon*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins