A GIANT TUMOR OF THE MESOCOLON FOUND TO BE METASTASIS FROM AN ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN-PRODUCING GASTRIC-CARCINOMA - REPORT OF A CASE

We present herein an extremely rare case of metastasis from a gastric carcinoma to the mesocolon. A 71-year-old woman underwent a laparotomy for gastric cancer with an intra-abdominal mass. Her serum alpha-feto protein level was very high at 3,560 ng/ml. The abdominal mass was sub sequently revealed to be a metastatic tumor of the transverse mesocolo n derived from an alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric carcinoma, but n o other metastatic focus was found. An immunohistochemical study revea led alpha-fetoprotein-positive cells in both lesions. The serum alpha- fetoprotein level became normal after the operation which was followed by a course of chemotherapy, and no recurrence has been observed thus far in 6 months of follow up.