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Alpha-fetoprotein-producing transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: a case report

  • Urology - Case Report
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Abstract

We report a 76-year-old man with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Although the serum level of AFP was 1,428 ng/ml, and he was anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibody-positive, liver tumors were not detected by either a computed tomography (CT) scan or a hepatic angiography. However, removal of a bladder tumor by transurethral resection and subsequent pathological examination revealed a grade III transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Furthermore, immunohistochemical detection of AFP was diffuse-positive. After the tumor partially responded to concomitant chemoradiotherapy, the serum AFP levels decreased to 966 ng/ml. However, the tumor eventually progressed with multiple lung metastases, and serum AFP levels increased to 3,906 ng/ml. In conclusion, AFP-producing TCC of urinary bladder is rare, and the nature and pathophysiology remains unclear and warrants further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gang Gung Memorial Hospital, Jiayi, Taiwan

    Chang-Hsien Lu

  2. Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Paul’s Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Wen-Chi Chou

  3. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, 199 Tung Hwa North Road, Taipei, 105, Taiwan

    Yu-Shin Hung & Chuang-Chi Liaw

  4. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan

    Kun-Yun Yeh

  5. Department of Pathology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Swei Sheu

Authors
  1. Chang-Hsien Lu
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  2. Wen-Chi Chou
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  3. Yu-Shin Hung
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  4. Kun-Yun Yeh
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  5. Swei Sheu
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  6. Chuang-Chi Liaw
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Correspondence to Chuang-Chi Liaw.

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Lu, CH., Chou, WC., Hung, YS. et al. Alpha-fetoprotein-producing transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: a case report. Int Urol Nephrol 41, 567–570 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-008-9461-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-008-9461-5

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