Alpha fetoprotein in metastatic gastric carcinoma

Two patients with primary gastric carcinoma and multiple liver secondaries who developed alpha fetoprotein in the serum are reported. Both had clinical features which were initially suggestive of primary liver cell carcinoma. Fetoprotein levels fell after ligation of the hepatic artery in one patient. Alpha fetoprotein may occur in the serum of adult patients with tumours of the foregut, other than primary liver cell carcinoma, when such tumours have metastasized to the liver.