AFP (Alfa-Feto Protein in Dehradun

What is a AFP (Alfa-Feto Protein?

Alpha-fetoprotein is the dominant protein in fetal blood, produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac, and after infancy production largely ceases. Its two adult uses come from the two situations in which it reappears. The first is oncology: hepatocellular carcinoma, the commonest primary liver cancer, often produces AFP, as do certain germ cell tumours of the testis and ovary. In patients with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C, who carry a substantially raised risk of liver cancer, AFP is used alongside six-monthly ultrasound as surveillance, and in someone already diagnosed it tracks response to treatment. The second is obstetrics, where AFP measured in maternal blood forms part of the second-trimester screening panels, the triple and quadruple marker tests: unusually high values raise the question of a neural tube defect and low values feature in the risk calculation for Down syndrome. The essential caveat in both settings is that AFP is not diagnostic. Chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and pregnancy itself all raise it without cancer, and many small liver cancers produce none.

Why take this test?

AFP is advised as part of liver cancer surveillance in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C infection, where it is measured at intervals alongside ultrasound rather than on its own, since neither test alone is sufficient. It is used in the assessment of a liver mass found on imaging, to monitor treatment and watch for recurrence in diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma, and in the work-up and follow-up of germ cell tumours. In pregnancy it is measured as one component of the second-trimester screening panel your obstetrician arranges, and it is interpreted only within that panel, against gestational age, never as a standalone number. It is not a general cancer screening test for people without risk factors, and it should not be added to a routine health check. A raised result belongs with the doctor who ordered it, since the explanation is frequently benign.

• Liver cancer surveillance in cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C
• Assessment of a liver mass found on imaging
• Monitoring treatment for diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma
• Work-up and follow-up of germ cell tumours
• As one component of second-trimester pregnancy screening
• Not a general cancer screen for people without risk factors

Normal reference ranges

Ranges are indicative for adults. Your report carries the lab-specific reference range and is reviewed by a LabONE pathologist; always interpret results with your doctor.

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