Current diagnostic methods have concentrated on tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) markers, such as the carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125, CA19-9, carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha fetal protein (AFP), which are effective at diagnosing LC at advanced stages7, but have a low sensitivity and specificity for early stage LC. Here, AFP is linked to laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.