What is AFP (alpha fetoprotein). tumor marker test?
An AFP tumor marker This test is a blood test that determines the amount of AFP (alpha fetoprotein) in a blood sample. It is usually used to diagnose certain types of cancer and to see how well a treatment works.
AFP is a protein that the liver produces when his cells grow and share to create new cells; AFP is usually increased in the fetus. After birth, AFP levels drop fairly quickly. After birth, AFP levels are very low. In healthy children and adults who are not pregnant, there is not enough AFP in the blood.
AFP is usually measured in non-pregnant people a tumor marker . Tumor markers An increase in AFP can be a symptom of liver, ovarian, or test circle cancer.
An AFP tumor marker The test itself cannot be used to test for or diagnose cancer. This is because other disorders can increase the degree of AFP, including liver damage that is not cancer. Also, the AFP degree is normal for those with liver, ovarian, or testicular cancer. So. AFP tumor marker this test will probably not rule out cancer. However, if the test is used in conjunction with other tests or exams, AFP tumor marker this test can help diagnose and track cancers that cause the highest AFP levels.
Other names: arterial AFP, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 percentage.
What is it used for?
An AFP tumor marker This test can be used during diagnosis and/or treatment of liver, ovarian, or testicular cancer causing the highest AFP levels. It is used
- When used in conjunction with other studies or tests, it helps prove or rule out a cancer diagnosis.
- Predicts how cancer has the ability to produce itself over time.
- Monitors the healing of the cancer. As the cancer grows and diminishes, AFP values often rise.
- Check to see if the cancer has returned after healing.
In some cases, the results can AFP tumor marker The test can be used as a guideline for selecting treatment for certain types of cancer. The test can also be used to predict health if (long-term) hepatitis or cirrhosis persists. These disorders are not cancer, but they do increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
Why do I need an AFP tumor marker test?
You may need an AFP tumor marker test if:
- Physical and/or other tests can indicate that you have liver, ovarian, or testicular cancer.
- You are currently undergoing treatment for a cancer that causes an increase in AFP; measuring your AFP test can indicate how well your healing is going.
- You have finished healing a form of cancer that increased your AFP degree. You may need to AFP tumor marker test from time to time to see if the cancer comes back.
Maintaining hepatitis or cirrhosis increases the risk of liver cancer. A previously increased AFP or a sudden rise in AFP can be an early sign of liver cancer. Most health care professionals do not recommend measuring AFP levels for cancer testing in these diseases. However, some health care providers may use the test in conjunction with other studies. AFP tumor marker Test with other studies to check for liver cancer.
What Happens During. AFP tumor marker test?
The caregiver takes a blood sample from a vein in the arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. Some pressure can be felt when the needle is in and out. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Do I need to prepare for the test?
No special preparation for testing is required. AFP tumor marker test.
Are there any risks associated with the test?
There are considerable risks associated with blood testing. The area where the needle is inserted can be slightly sore and bruised, but most signs disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
If the cancer is not established with you, the results of the study indicate this
- High AFP can be a symptom of liver, ovarian, or testicular cancer. However, high AFP does not mean that you have cancer or will develop cancer. Non-cancerous liver damage and liver injury can still cause high AFP. Less frequently, increased AFP can be a symptom of other types of cancer, such as lymphoma or nonelia type cancers. Your physician will use your disease status and other test results to make a diagnosis.
- Normal AFP levels mean that you have a smaller chance of getting the cancer that causes high AFP levels. However, normal test results do not rule out cancer because some people with these forms of cancer have normal AFP.
If you underwent treatment for a form of cancer that grows, you may be tested once or twice during treatment. Your doctor will display all your AFP test results to see how their value has changed over time. If your results show
- AFP values increase. This means that healing is not working.
- Your AFP falls, which means that your healing works.
- If your AFP stays the same, it may mean that your disease is stable and is not getting worse or worse.
When you complete cancer treatment, the cause is that your AFP and your test results increase:
- Not good, this means you still have cancer in your body.
- If after healing it is higher than shortly thereafter, this may mean that your cancer is increasing again.
If you have long-term liver disease that is not considered cancer, you may need other studies to find out if your liver cancer shows an unexpected rise in AFP or if your value is very high.
Ask your midwife or gynecologist to tell you what your test results mean for your health.
Is there actually anything else I need to consider? AFP tumor marker test?
Most common in the U.S. AFP tumor marker The test detects all forms of AFP in the blood. The least known AFP test can be used to test the risk of liver cancer in people with acquired liver disease; it detects a form of AFP called L3, which is a form of AFP that is found in the blood of people with acquired liver disease.
The AFP-L3 test (AFP-L3%) links the amount of L3 to the amount of joint AFP in the blood; an increased L3 share may mean a higher risk of developing a more serious form of advanced liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.
You may have heard about another type of AFP test used during pregnancy. This test determines the arterial level of AFP in the blood, but is not a a tumor marker Cancer Test. It is used to test for the risk of certain birth defects in the fetus.
Supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.
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