Pictorial review of abdominopelvic diseases with elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels
摘要
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a widely recognized tumor marker, commonly used for the diagnosis and postoperative surveillance of liver tumors and germ cell tumors. Elevated serum AFP levels can also be found in biliary tract, gastrointestinal, and pancreatic diseases as well as physiological changes in newborns and pregnant women. When evaluating diseases associated with elevated AFP levels, the patient’s age should be taken into consideration. The degree of AFP elevation is related to the tissue of origin with varying pathological mechanisms. Familiarity with the sources and mechanisms of AFP elevation, as well as understanding the clinical and imaging features of AFP-related lesions, helps to improve diagnostic accuracy and facilitate appropriate clinical management. This article reviews the abdominopelvic diseases associated with elevated AFP levels, organized by anatomical location.