Clinical symptoms and pedigree analysis in two families with benign familial persistently elevated α‐fetoprotein

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nature of persistently elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP) in a family and the importance of correct recognition and diagnosis of familial AFP elevation. METHODS: In 1984 and 1997, a series of AFP radio-immunoassays from two families with persistently elevated AFP were investigated and the family pedigrees were subanalyzed. RESULTS: Of the 29 members in the two families, 15 were examined. The AFP level of 10 people was persistently elevated, two of these had been misdiagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Familial elevation of AFP is benign in nature. It should be kept in mind during mass surveys of AFP.