This report describes a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) that exhibited rapid progression and liver metastasis. Although AFP is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and germ cell tumors, its production in NETs is unusual. Despite limited literature on AFP-producing NETs, our review indicates that such tumors are more common than previously recognized. Further studies are necessary to fully elucidate the prognostic impact and molecular mechanisms underlying AFP production in NETs.
NagtegaalIDOdzeRDKlimstraD, et al.The 2019 WHO classification of tumours of the digestive system. Histopathology. 2020;76(2):182–188. doi: 10.1111/his.13975
2.
GitlinDPerricelliAGitlinGM. Synthesis of fetoprotein by liver, yolk sac, and gastrointestinal tract of the human conceptus. Cancer Res. 1972;32(5):979–982.
3.
ShahTSrirajaskanthanRBhogalM, et al.Alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotrophin-beta as prognostic markers in neuroendocrine tumour patients. Br J Cancer. 2008;99(1):72–77. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604428
4.
Takayama-IsagawaYKanetakaKKobayashiSYonedaAItoSEguchiS. High serum alpha-fetoprotein and positive immunohistochemistry of alpha-fetoprotein are related to poor prognosis of gastric cancer with liver metastasis. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):3695. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54394-1
5.
FengYLiYDaiWMoSLiQCaiS. Clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors in alpha-fetoprotein-producing colorectal cancer: analysis of 78 cases. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2018;51(5):2052–2064. doi: 10.1159/000495824
PanerGPThompsonKSReyesCV. Hepatoid carcinoma of the pancreas. Cancer. 2000;88(7):1582–1589. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(20000401)88:7 < 1582::aid-cncr12 > 3.0.co;2-a
8.
LamKLoCWatMFanST. Malignant insulinoma with hepatoid differentiation: a unique case with alpha-fetoprotein production. Endocr Pathol. 2001;12(3):351–354. doi: 10.1385/ep:12:3:351
9.
ZhuXYongHZhangL, et al.Pure alpha-fetoprotein-producing neuroendocrine carcinoma of the pancreas: a case report. BMC Gastroenterol. 2015;15:16. doi: 10.1186/s12876-015-0246-x
