In adults, increased concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein are most characteristically associated with:

In adults, increased concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein are most characteristically associated with:

• A. Hepatocellular carcinoma
• B. Alcoholic cirrhosis
• C. Chronic active hepatitis
• D. Multiple myeloma

Answer: (A)

Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein normally produced by fetal liver and yolk sac, and after birth its levels are very low. When adults show a marked rise in AFP, the condition most characteristically associated is hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer often occurs in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, and malignant liver cells reexpress AFP, causing it to appear in the blood. The other conditions listed—alcoholic cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, and multiple myeloma—do not typically produce a characteristic, high AFP elevation. Therefore, hepatocellular carcinoma is the best answer.

Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein normally produced by fetal liver and yolk sac, and after birth its levels are very low. When adults show a marked rise in AFP, the condition most characteristically associated is hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer often occurs in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, and malignant liver cells reexpress AFP, causing it to appear in the blood. The other conditions listed—alcoholic cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, and multiple myeloma—do not typically produce a characteristic, high AFP elevation. Therefore, hepatocellular carcinoma is the best answer.