Open AccessAn isolate alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric cancer liver metastasis emerged in a patient previously affected by radiation induced liver disease
Author(s) -
Vincenzo Cardinale,
Gianmaria De Filippis,
Alessandro Corsi,
A. La Penna,
Michele Rossi,
Carlo Catalano,
Paolo Bianco,
Adriano De Santis,
Domenico Alvaro
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
world journal of hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 55
ISSN - 1948-5182
DOI - 10.4254/wjh.v5.i7.398
Subject(s) - medicine , metastasis , alpha fetoprotein , cancer , pathology , liver cancer , differential diagnosis , immunohistochemistry , hepatocellular carcinoma , gastroenterology
We report a case of an isolated hepatic neoplasia which originated in a site of the liver previously affected by radiation induced liver disease (RILD) in a patient resected for gastric cancer and referred to us for high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. This case challenged us in distiguishing, even histologically, between primary liver cancer and AFP producing gastric cancer metastasis. Only a panel of immunohistochemical markers allowed the definitive diagnosis of liver metastasis of endodermal stem cell-derived and AFP producing gastric cancer. We discuss the criteria for a differential diagnosis, as well as the possible link between RILD and emergence of liver neoplasia.