Persistent alpha-fetoprotein elevation in patients without viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma: A report of six cases and literature review

Table 1 Basic clinical characteristics, follow-up duration, and means and ranges of serum alpha-fetoprotein elevation

Case	Age	Sex	Past medical history	Diagnosis of underlying liver disease	Months of follow-up	Mean AFP elevation (range) ng/mL	AFP initial	AFP EOF
1	69	Female	Pancreatic cyst, stable ovarian cyst	Elevated AFP, liver cyst	54	27.3 (25.2-29.6)	29.6	25.8
2	68	Female	Breast cancer, status post lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, HLD, overweight	Elevated AFP, liver cyst, MASLD	54	16.2 (14.4-18.6)	18.6	14.4
3	61	Female	Right side breast cancer, status post lumpectomy and radiation	Elevated AFP, liver cyst, MASLD	54	12.8 (11.6-14.2)	11.6	14.2
4	74	Male	Macrocytic anemia, alcohol use, hereditary hemochromatosis	Elevated AFP	36	10.7 (9.2-12.9)	9.2	10.6
5	36	Male	Mild elevated LFTs, fatty liver	Elevated AFP, MASLD, liver cyst	36	10.5 (9.7-12.9)	10.4	9.7
6	64	Male	Abnormal LFTs, fatty liver, liver cyst, obesity	Elevated AFP, MASLD	54	9.8 (8.9-11.1)	9.5	10.8

AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein; EOF: End-of-follow-up; MASLD: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease; HLD: Hyperlipidemia; LFT: Liver function test.