What is Cancer Marker: Alpha Feto Protein?

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced in the liver of a developing fetus. During a baby's development, some AFP passes through the placenta and into the mother's blood. An AFP test measures the level of AFP in pregnant women during the second trimester of pregnancy.

What the Cancer Marker: Alpha Feto Protein test used for?

An AFP blood test is used to check a developing fetus for risk of birth defects and genetic disorders, such as neural tube defects or Down syndrome. The AFP test is especially important for women who are at high risk of having children with birth defects who are 35 or older, family history of birth defects, have diabetes or taken harmful medication during pregnancies.This screening exam also tests your levels of:

• human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
• estriol, which is a hormone produced by your placenta and your baby’s liver.
• inhibin A, which is a hormone produced by your placenta.

If you aren’t pregnant, an AFP test can help to diagnose and monitor certain liver conditions, such as liver cancer, cirrhosis, and hepatitis. It can also help detect several other cancers, such as testes, ovaries, biliary tract, stomach or pancreas.

How is the procedure performed?

A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm. You may want to wear a shirt with sleeves that can easily be rolled up to make it easier to collect the blood sample. Results are typically available within one to two weeks.

What will be the results interprets?