Alpha-fetoprotein-producing pancreatoblastoma. A case report

Abstract

A case of pancreatoblastoma, arising in the tail of the pancreas with metastases to the right radius, in an 8-year-old boy is reported. The serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was over 13 times the normal value before surgery, but returned to normal after removal of the primary tumor. Furthermore, AFP was detected in tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry. This case, representing the second primary non-germ cell pancreatic neoplasm in a child producing elevated serum AFP, supports the use of serum AFP in diagnosing this lesion.