What causes raised AFP?
Increased AFP can be caused by liver cancer, germ cell tumour of the testis or less commonly other cancers (for example ovary, stomach, bowel, lung, breast, lymphoma). Slightly increased levels of AFP are common in patients who have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and do not indicate the presence of cancer.
What happens if an AFP test is positive?
A positive AFP PLUS test means that you are in a higher likelihood group for having a baby with a neural tube defect or a chromosome abnormality. However, it does not prove by itself that there is anything wrong with the pregnancy.
Is AFP a tumor marker?
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is used as a tumor marker to help detect and diagnose cancers of the liver, testicles, and ovaries.
Does high afp mean Down syndrome?
Lower levels of AFP may mean that your fetus has Down syndrome. Down syndrome is an abnormality involving an extra chromosome (chromosome 21).
When is alpha fetoprotein elevated?
An extremely high level of AFP in your blood—greater than 400 ng/mL—could be a sign of liver tumors. High levels of AFP may mean other cancers, including Hodgkin disease, lymphoma, and renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). Not all people with these cancers will have an elevated AFP.
What is an abnormal AFP result?
An AFP level between 10 ng/mL to 20 ng/mL is normal for adults. An extremely high level of AFP in your blood—greater than 400 ng/mL—could be a sign of liver tumors. High levels of AFP may mean other cancers, including Hodgkin disease, lymphoma, and renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).
How high can AFP levels go?
Does high afp always mean spina bifida?
It’s normal for a small amount of AFP to cross the placenta and enter the mother’s bloodstream. But unusually high levels of AFP suggest that the baby has a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida, though high levels of AFP don’t always occur in spina bifida. Test to confirm high AFP levels.
What does alpha fetoprotein tumor marker mean?
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 of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles, as well as noncancerous liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
What causes high levels of alpha fetoprotein?
Hepatocellular carcinoma
What is the normal range for AFP?
What is the normal range for an AFP tumor marker? An AFP level between 10 ng/mL to 20 ng/mL is normal for adults. An extremely high level of AFP in your blood—greater than 400 ng/mL—could be a sign of liver tumors. High levels of AFP may mean other cancers, including Hodgkin disease, lymphoma, and renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).
When is the AFP test done?
The AFP test may be performed between the 14th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy, however, it seems to be most accurate during the 16th to 18th week. Your levels of AFP vary during pregnancy so accurate pregnancy dating is imperative for more reliable screening results. All pregnant women should be offered the AFP screening, but it is especially recommended for:
What is AFP in medical terms?
Ataxia Telangiectasia (Legs) Picture.