Alpha Fetoprotein Secreting Mucinous Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma in a Young Woman-a Rare Case Report and Review of Literature

Germ cell tumors are known to secrete alpha fetoprotein. Epithelial ovarian cancers rarely secret alpha fetoprotein and mucinous variety is rarest among them that too in young woman. In addition to the case discussion, literature on this entity has been reviewed. A 24 years, parous woman presented with 28 weeks sized abdominopelvic mass. CECT confirmed this as right adnexal malignant mass. Tumor markers for ovarian cancer were within normal limits except alpha fetoprotein which was marginally raised (21.4ng/dl). Under the diagnosis of malignant germ cell tumor, she underwent staging laparotomy, right salpingo-oophorectomy performed. Final histology returned as stage I mucinous adenocarcinoma without any germ cell component. Cells of invasive mucinous gland expressed reactivity for AFP on immunostaining. AFP fell to normal level following surgery. Only three case reports concerning this topic have been described in the literature till date. All were advanced stage disease in the postmenopausal women. Given the late stage diagnosis, mortality was also high. Owing to its atypical presentation, immunostaining was required for differentiating it from other AFP secreting tumors of ovary.