What is a AFP tumor marker test?
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is used as a tumor marker to help detect and diagnose cancers of the liver, testicles, and ovaries.
What does tumor marker indicate?
A substance found in tissue, blood, bone marrow, or other body fluids that may be a sign of cancer or certain benign (noncancer) conditions. Many tumor markers are proteins made by both normal cells and cancer cells, but they are made in higher amounts by cancer cells.
What does AFP stand for in tumor marker test?
What is an AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) tumor marker test? AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein. It is a protein made in the liver of a developing baby. AFP levels are usually high when a baby is born, but fall to very low levels by the age of 1.
Can a high AFP level be a sign of cancer?
Healthy adults should have very low levels of AFP. An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body. High levels of AFP can be a sign…
When do AFP levels go down in adults?
It is a protein made in the liver of a developing baby. AFP levels are usually high when a baby is born, but fall to very low levels by the age of 1. Healthy adults should have very low levels of AFP. An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults.
Do you need to have an AFP blood test?
A higher AFP level doesn’t always mean you have a health problem. Some people simply have more AFP than is typical. Your doctor may want you to have an AFP tumor marker blood test to:
Do you need to know about AFP tumor marker test?
Your AFP levels have not increased or decreased. This may mean your disease is stable. Your AFP levels decreased, but then later increased. This may mean your cancer has come back after you’ve been treated. Is there anything else I need to know about an AFP tumor marker test?
Healthy adults should have very low levels of AFP. An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body. High levels of AFP can be a sign…
When to take AFP test for liver cancer?
Other types of cancer may not show up on an AFP test. When you have liver disease already, an AFP of more than 200 ng/mL usually means you have liver cancer.
What does AFP stand for in blood test?
An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body.