[A case of bladder cancer producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)]

The high incidence of increased level of AFP in association with primary hepatoma and embryonic tumors of the ovary and testis is well recognized, but elevated AFP is very uncommon in bladder cancer. A 74-year-old man, diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, showed an increased level (410 ng/ml) of circulating AFP. After partial cystectomy, the high level of AFP returned to the normal value. The AFP level remained normal for 4.5 years after surgery and no recurrence of bladder cancer was seen by the cystoscopy. X-ray and ultrasound examination has revealed no evidence of neoplasm in the other organs. AFP producing localization was detected in bladder cancer cells by the use of immunocytochemical technique with the avidin-biotin method.