摘要
Introduction Alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)is the most abundant serum protein found in the human fetus,produced by the yolk sac and the liver[1].The levels of maternal serum AFP reach a peak value at28-32 weeks of gestation and decrease rapidly after birth and usually drop to the normal at 8-12 months of age.The normal serum AFP level for an adult is<20 ng/mL[2].In contrast,livertumor cells usually synthesize and secrete an increased level of AFP.Abdominal ultrasound and AFP are generally recommended as the screening modality for HCC for patients at risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)[1].AFP-L3,an isoform of AFP that binds Lens culinaris agglutinin,can be particularly useful in the early identification of aggressive HCC[2].These assays,however,can generate false-positive and false-negative AFP values.Of patients with advanced HCC,20%had normal AFP levels,whereas some patients with liver diseases had significant AFP elevation without liver cancer in long-term surveillance[3].Elevated AFP levels could be associated with active liver diseases with hepatocyte regeneration[4,5].In that setting,the AFP level will decline with improvement of the underlying liver condition.Our case illustrated the dilemma and uncertainties as a result of persistent abnormal AFP values after extensive clinical investigations.
