The diagnostic value of alpha-fetoprotein in an infant with sacrococcygeal teratoma.

A newborn infant, surgically treated for a sacrococcygeal teratoma, had serially drawn alpha-fetoproteins before and after surgery. The elevated levels were plotted on the graph of normal range proposed by Tsuchida, and although very high, they still fell within the normal range, which suggested benignancy. Pathology showed mature elements, except for immature neuroectodermal tissue. Fetal liver was a prominent part of the teratoma and was stained for alpha-fetoprotein on immunoperoxidase preparation.