An Interesting Case of Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)-Producing Pancreaticoduodenal Tumor

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 4; p. e59384
• Main Authors: Gvajaia, Ani, Imeh, Michael, Raza, Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 30.04.2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Abdomen; Antigens; Cancer therapies; Case reports; Cell growth; Endoscopy; Gastroenterology; Glycoproteins; Ligands; Liver cancer; Medical prognosis; Oncology; Pancreas; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatitis; Pathology; Patients; Small intestine; Tumors; pancreaticoduodenal cancer; high afp in gastrointestinal tumor; molecular mechanism of afp-producing adenocarcinomas; different mechanisms of afp-producing cancers; high afp-producing pancreaticoduodenal cancer
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59384

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is considered one of the best-known predictive serum markers, playing a crucial role in cancer investigation and subsequent treatment. In most adult cells, the production of this marker is suppressed after embryogenesis. However, its increased level raises concerns about underlying malignant conditions, which provide a valuable diagnostic tool for medical professionals in oncology. The existing AFP-producing adenocarcinomas exhibit unique clinical characteristics, including high malignancy and early metastatic potential, which result in poorer outcomes. To illustrate these characteristics, we decided to describe a case report of a 70-year-old African American female with a significantly elevated level of AFP. Further pathology results confirmed a duodenal adenocarcinoma versus adenocarcinoma from the pancreas. While AFP-producing adenocarcinoma has multiple underlying molecular mechanisms that correlate with poor prognosis, definitive treatment based on molecular pathways has yet to be defined. Therefore, further research is needed for new therapeutic modalities.