A 30-year-old woman presents with a pelvic mass. Histology of the ovarian tumor shows Schiller-Duval bodies. Which serum tumor marker is most likely elevated?
- A CA-125
- B Beta-hCG
- C Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ✓
- D Inhibin A
Correct answer: C. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Explanation
Schiller-Duval bodies are pathognomonic of yolk sac tumor, a malignant germ cell tumor. Yolk sac tumors characteristically secrete AFP, which serves as both a diagnostic marker and a monitor of treatment response. CA-125 is elevated in epithelial ovarian cancers, beta-hCG in choriocarcinoma, and inhibin in sex cord-stromal tumors like granulosa cell tumors.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.