Primary lung cancer producing alpha-fetoprotein.

Reports of alpha-fetoprotein-producing lung tumors are rare. Only 24 such patients with these tumors have been previously studied. We report the case of a patient with a large cell carcinoma of the lung and a serum alpha-fetoprotein level of 9,300 ng/mL, with no evidence of hepatic or other systemic abnormalities. Serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein returned to normal postoperatively.