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Immunocytochemical presentation of alpha‐fetoprotein‐producing gastric cancer in ascitic fluid: A case study
Author(s) -
Kobayashi Tadao K.,
Gotoh Takechika,
Kamachi Masahiro,
Watanabe Shinsuke,
Sawaragi Isamu
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840040207
Subject(s) - medicine , ascitic fluid , pathology , ascites , alpha fetoprotein , immunoperoxidase , cytology , peritoneal fluid , yolk sac , differential diagnosis , metastasis , cancer , metastatic carcinoma , carcinoma , antibody , monoclonal antibody , gastroenterology , immunology , hepatocellular carcinoma , biology , embryo , microbiology and biotechnology
A case of primary gastric cancer without hepatic metastasis showing extremely high alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels is reported. This case illustrates the application of the immunoperoxidase technique to ascitic fluid cytology. Papanicolaoustained smears of the ascites permitted the diagnosis of a metastatic carcinoma. A positive reaction to AFP was demonstrated in the tumor cells in the ascitic fluid cellular samples as well as in the paraffin‐embedded tissue section of the primary gastric carcinoma. Rising AFP levels were also detected in ascitic fluid. AFP fractionation using lectin‐affinity‐crossed‐line immunoelectrophoresis showed the hepatic rather than yolk sac type. Reports of such occurrences are few; no study, to the best of our knowledge, has previously documented cytological and immunocytochemical diagnosis in ascitic fluid. AFP‐producing gastric cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis.