alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum/plasma
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Introduction
Also see alpha-1-fetoprotein in body fluid.
Indications
- evaluation of
Contraindications
- insufficiently sensitive for survelliance for hepatocellular carcinoma
Reference interval
- Concentration of AFP: Normal males: < 8.0 ng/mL. Normal females: <10.0 ng/mL.
- Concentration of AFP in maternal serum & amniotic Fluid is subject to gestational age
Principle
Clinical significance
- Human serum or plasma is used in the management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer.
- Human serum or plasma & amniotic fluid at 15 to 21 weeks gestation to aid in the detection of fetal open neural tube defects (NTD). Test results when used in conjunction with ultrasonography & amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase testing are a safe & effective aid in the detection of fetal open NTD. Maternal serum levels > 2-fold the median should be investigated with ultrasonography.
- Levels are used to monitor the course of hepatocellular carcinoma & the response to treatment.
- Elevated levels may reflect regenerative activity of hepatocytes.
- Levels may be directly related to tumor size in embryonal malignant teratomas of the testes are useful in following the course of disease
- Serum AFP normally decreases after birth & is detectable only in trace amounts after 1 year of life.
Increases
- clinical disorders
- metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (100%)
- values as high as 1 mg/mL, much higher than in testicular cancer
- non-seminomatous testicular cancer (50%)
- other cancers (small %)
- cirrhosis or hepatitis (5-10%)
- alcoholic liver disease
- choriocarcinoma
- embryonal carcinoma
- fetal anomalies: maternal serum
- neural tube defects
- omphalocele
- esophageal or duodenal atresia
- Meckel's syndrome
- fetal hepatic necrosis secondary to viral infection
- other anomalies
- metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (100%)
- no chemical interferences
Decreases
- maternal serum
- Down's syndrome (trisomy 21), fetal demise, molar pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, trisomy 18, overestimated gestational age
Specimen
More general terms
More specific terms
Additional terms
- alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) [Multiple of the median, MOM] adjusted in serum/plasma
- alpha-fetoprotein; alpha-1-fetoprotein; alpha-fetoglobulin (AFP HPAFP)
Component of
- fetal congenital anomalies 5 analyte panel
- triple screen (triple test, maternal AFP, msAFP, 3-test screen)
- QUAD screen (quadruple test, quadruple screen, 4-test screen)
References
- ↑ Abbott Laboratories ,Diagnostic Division ,Abbott Park, IL 60064 Tumor Markers, IMx AFP, FEBRUARY 1990.
- ↑ IMx System Operation Manual, Abbott Diagnostics, a Division of Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL. 60064, AUGUST 1988.
- ↑ IMx System Assay Manual, Abbott Diagnostics, a Division of Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL. 60064, AUGUST 1988.
- ↑ Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed., W.B. Saunders, 1995
- ↑ Panel of 23 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0080108.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 25 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0080269.jsp
- ↑ Alpha Fetoprotein Tumor Marker Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0080428.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 17 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0080434.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 24 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0081064.jsp
- ↑ Mini Panel of 2 tests: Alpha Fetoprotein Total . Alpha Fetoprotein L3% Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0081208.jsp
- ↑ Panel of 24 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0081294.jsp
- ↑ Mini Panel of 2 tests: Alpha Fetoprotein Total . Alpha Fetoprotein L3% Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0081326.jsp
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 NEJM Knowledge+
Patient information
alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum/plasma patient information