Home Biomarkers Alfa Feto Protein (AFP)

Alfa Feto Protein (AFP)

Tumour marker test Biomarker

Sample Needed

Collection Type: Blood

Body System

Related System: Tumour marker test

Overview

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a fetal glycoprotein produced mainly by the fetal liver and yolk sac. The AFP blood test measures the concentration of this protein in serum. In adults, elevated AFP can suggest hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or non-seminomatous germ cell tumors; modest elevations occur with active hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver regeneration. In pregnancy, maternal serum AFP is used in prenatal screening for neural tube defects and some chromosomal abnormalities (values vary by gestational age). Newborns normally have high AFP that falls over months. Results vary by age (very high in fetuses/newborns), pregnancy status, liver disease, and certain tumors; men and non‑pregnant women should have very low levels.

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required

Why Do I Need This Test

Profile: Tumour marker test - Symptoms prompting the test: unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain or mass, jaundice, testicular mass, abnormal liver imaging, or prenatal screening concerns.
Uses: help diagnose or monitor HCC and non‑seminomatous germ cell tumors, and prenatal screening for fetal neural tube defects.
Abnormal causes: liver cancer, active hepatitis/cirrhosis, germ cell tumors, pregnancy, fetal anomalies, or assay/biologic variability.
Behavioral/family factors: chronic alcohol or hepatitis exposure, family history of liver cancer or germ cell tumors increase need for testing.

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Understanding Test Results

Values <10 ng/mL: considered normal for non‑pregnant adults.
Mild elevations (10–200 ng/mL): commonly seen with active hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver regeneration, or early/low‑burden HCC; also possible with some germ cell tumors.
Moderate-to-high elevations (200–400 ng/mL): increase suspicion for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially when persistent and correlated with imaging.
Very high values (>400 ng/mL, and commonly >1,000 ng/mL in germ cell tumors): strongly suggest malignant disease (HCC or non‑seminomatous germ cell tumor) but require confirmatory imaging/biopsy.
In pregnancy, elevated maternal AFP for gestational age suggests neural tube or abdominal wall defects; low AFP may indicate chromosomal trisomies (e.g., Down syndrome).
Interpret in clinical context—repeat testing, imaging, and additional markers (AFP isoforms, liver imaging, tumor markers) are often needed.

Normal Range

0-10 ng/mL

FAQs

Q: What does alpha fetoprotein AFP test for?

A: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing measures AFP protein levels in blood. In pregnancy it helps screen for fetal neural tube defects (like spina bifida) and some chromosomal abnormalities; abnormal values prompt further testing. In adults AFP is used as a tumor marker—mainly to detect, stage, and monitor hepatocellular carcinoma and certain germ cell (testicular) tumors, following treatment response or recurrence.

Q: What if the AFP level is high?

A: A high alpha‑fetoprotein (AFP) can mean different things: in pregnancy it may indicate an open neural tube defect, abdominal wall defect, multiple pregnancy, or inaccurate dating; outside pregnancy it can signal liver disease or certain tumours (e.g. germ‑cell tumours or hepatocellular carcinoma). Next steps are repeat testing, targeted ultrasound, and possibly amniocentesis or imaging with specialist referral to confirm the cause and plan management.

Q: What is the role of alpha fetoprotein (AFP)?

A: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the fetal yolk sac and liver. Clinically it’s used as a prenatal screening marker (elevated in neural tube defects, decreased in some chromosomal abnormalities) and as a tumor marker—especially for hepatocellular carcinoma and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. AFP helps in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and detecting recurrence, but results require correlation with imaging and other tests.

Q: What does high AFP protein mean?

A: High alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can mean different things by context: in pregnancy it may indicate neural tube or abdominal wall defects or multiple pregnancy; outside pregnancy it often reflects liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) or AFP-producing tumors like hepatocellular carcinoma or certain germ cell tumors. Further evaluation—repeat tests, imaging, and specialist referral—is needed to determine the cause.

Q: Is AFP a good tumor marker?

A: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can be a useful tumor marker: it’s often elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, and trends help monitor treatment or recurrence. However, sensitivity and specificity are limited—AFP rises with pregnancy and benign liver disease and may be normal in some cancers. AFP should not be used alone for screening; combine it with imaging and clinical assessment.

Q: Is an AFP test mandatory?

A: An AFP (alpha‑fetoprotein) test is not mandatory. In pregnancy it’s offered as part of second‑trimester screening for neural‑tube defects and some chromosomal conditions but is optional; it’s recommended when risk factors or abnormal ultrasound findings exist. In adults, AFP is used as a tumor marker (e.g., for liver cancer) for surveillance or diagnosis in high‑risk patients, not as a compulsory test for everyone.