Alpha-fetoprotein in a patient with embryonal cell carcinoma of the testes

A case of embryonal cell carcinoma of the testes with widespread metastases, and the presence of AFP in the patient's serum, is reported. The usefulness of the detection of AFP for the diagnosis of this type of tumor is stressed. The use of polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis in combination with double-diffusion in gel are considered as a highly sensitive method for the detection of AFP in routine clinical work. The literature dealing with the characterization of AFP and its frequency and significance in various diseases is reviewed.