A 45-year-old man is found to have elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Which of the following is the LEAST likely cause?

• A Hepatocellular carcinoma
• B Yolk sac tumor of testis
• C Hepatic regeneration after acute hepatitis
• D Colonic adenocarcinoma ✓

Explanation

AFP is produced by hepatocellular carcinoma, yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumors, and physiologically by fetal liver and yolk sac. Hepatic regeneration transiently raises AFP. Colonic adenocarcinoma is associated with CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), not AFP; elevated AFP is not a feature of colorectal cancer.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.