Alpha Fetoprotein Secreting Mucinous Epithelial OvarianCarcinoma in a Young Woman- a Rare Case Report andReview of Literature

Abstract

Germ cell tumors are known to secrete alpha fetoprotein. Epithelial ovarian cancers rarely secret alpha fetoprotein andmucinous variety is rarest among them that too in young woman. In addition to the case discussion, literature on thisentity has been reviewed.A 24 years, parous woman presented with 28 weeks sized abdominopelvic mass. CECT confirmed this as right adnexalmalignant mass. Tumor markers for ovarian cancer were within normal limits except alpha fetoprotein which was mar ginally raised (21.4ng/dl). Under the diagnosis of malignant germ cell tumor, she underwent staging laparotomy, rightsalpingo-oophorectomy performed. Final histology returned as stage I mucinous adenocarcinoma without any germcell component. Cells of invasive mucinous gland expressed reactivity for AFP on immunostaining. AFP fell to normallevel following surgery.Only three case reports concerning this topic have been described in the literature till date. All were advanced stagedisease in the postmenopausal women. Given the late stage diagnosis, mortality was also high. Owing to its atypicalpresentation, immunostaining was required for differentiating it from other AFP secreting tumors of ovary.