Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS), a rare and unique histological subtype of gastric cancer, accounts for less than 1.5% of all gastric cancers. Historically, this subtype is found to have a poor prognosis in comparison to other types of gastric cancer. While the diagnosis is made based on pathological findings, most cases described in the literature are associated with elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. We present a case of AFP-negative HAS with additional unique pathologic findings of signet ring cells which has been reported only once in the literature. Given the rare and late presentation of the disease, AFP-negative HAS should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with suspicion for gastric cancer.
Wichelmann TA, Patel K, Malas A, James E. A Unique Case of Alpha-Fetoprotein-Negative Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach With Associated Signet Ring Cell Histological Features and Linitis Plastica. Cureus. 2020;12(12):e11908. Published 2020 Dec 4. doi:10.7759/cureus.11908
Internal Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Oncology, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital