Alpha-fetoprotein-positive adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

A case of a poorly differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma arising in the body and tail of the pancreas with diffuse intraabdominal metastases in an adult is reported. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was markedly elevated in this patient, but fell transiently when a partial tumor response to combination chemotherapy was achieved. Both the occurrence of biochemical and anatomical responses, and the immunohistochemical finding of AFP in the tumor tissue clearly indicate that oncofetal protein is produced by the tumor cells. The patient survived 10.5 mo after the onset of symptoms.