Alpha-FP normalization as a prognostic factor for mediastinal origin embryonal carcinoma: report of five cases.

It is well known that a subgroup of germ cell tumors, embryonal carcinoma of extra-gonadal origin have a poor prognosis. We have encountered five cases of mediastinal embryonal carcinoma treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HD-CT) supported by auto-PBSCT in four, and resection in three. Our cases indicated that normalization of the alpha-FP tumor marker level during standard chemotherapy is a very important factor for cure, and the resection of the residual mass after chemotherapy is indicated due to the great risk of remnant malignant cells despite HD-CT.