Case Report: Alpha-fetoprotein-producing urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Elevated serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) are commonly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma or germ cell tumors. AFP-producing urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is very rare. We report a case of bladder urothelial carcinoma with significantly elevated AFP levels. A 60-year-old man was a...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1581665/full |
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| Summary: | Elevated serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) are commonly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma or germ cell tumors. AFP-producing urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is very rare. We report a case of bladder urothelial carcinoma with significantly elevated AFP levels. A 60-year-old man was admitted for gross hematuria. Computed tomography urography revealed multiple large tumors of the bladder. The serum level of AFP was up to 2,329 ng/ml. No hepatic tumors or testicular tumors were detected. Although the hepatitis B surface antigen test was positive, the liver function test was normal. The patient underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion. Postoperative pathology revealed high-grade muscle invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma and immunohistochemical staining of the tumor cells showed strong AFP positivity. After surgery, the patient’s serum AFP levels dropped sharply and decreased to normal 4 weeks after the operation. In conclusion, AFP-producing bladder urothelial carcinoma is rare, and the mechanism and pathophysiology remain unclear and require further investigation. |
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| ISSN: | 2234-943X |