AFP (Liver, Testis)

AFP testing is performed at IntroLab for patients exhibiting symptoms of malignant conditions in the liver, testicles, or ovaries.

What is AFP?

AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein, a protein naturally produced by the fetal liver during development. After birth, alpha-fetoprotein levels in the blood typically decrease. However, certain diseases and conditions can cause elevated levels in adults.

When is AFP testing done?

AFP testing is primarily used as a marker to detect and monitor certain health conditions, especially liver and testicular diseases. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy and assess the prognosis of certain diseases. Blood sample collection and AFP level testing can assist doctors in diagnosing and planning further treatment.

Factors influencing AFP levels

Elevated AFP levels may indicate:

• Liver Cancer: AFP levels can be significantly elevated in patients with liver cancer, making this test a useful tumor marker for diagnosis and monitoring. However, elevated AFP levels do not always indicate cancer; other factors such as pregnancy or certain benign liver tumors can also affect AFP levels.
• Testicular Cancer: AFP can be elevated in patients with testicular cancer, especially with certain histological types like choriocarcinoma.
• Germ Cell Tumors: Germ cell tumors of the ovaries and testicles, including seminomas and non-seminomas, often cause elevated AFP levels.
• Liver Diseases: Conditions such as cirrhosis or hepatitis can cause a slight increase in AFP levels.

Interpreting AFP test results requires a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical picture and other relevant factors. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and interpretation of AFP test results.