Alpha Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker details
What Alpha Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker shows
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein normally produced by a developing fetus's liver and yolk sac, and by the adult liver only in trace amounts. In adults, AFP is used mainly as a tumor marker to help detect and monitor treatment response in liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and certain germ cell tumors of the testes or ovaries. It's also measured during pregnancy (usually as part of a broader prenatal screening panel) to help assess risk for certain fetal conditions, including neural tube defects and some chromosomal abnormalities. Because AFP can also rise with non-cancerous liver conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis, an elevated result outside of pregnancy is typically followed up with imaging and other tests rather than used alone to diagnose cancer.
Tests that include Alpha Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker
AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein) is a protein normally produced by the fetal liver, but it can be elevated in certain adults with specific cancers or liver conditions, making it a useful tumor marker.
- Alpha Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker Alpha-fetoprotein, a protein used to help detect and monitor liver cancer and certain germ cell tumors, and during pregnancy to screen for fetal conditions.
AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein) is a protein normally produced by the fetal liver, but it can be elevated in certain adults with specific cancers or liver conditions, making it a useful tumor marker.
- Alpha Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker Alpha-fetoprotein, a protein used to help detect and monitor liver cancer and certain germ cell tumors, and during pregnancy to screen for fetal conditions.
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