What level of AFP indicates liver cancer?

An AFP level between 10 ng/mL to 20 ng/mL is normal for adults. An extremely high level of AFP in your blood—greater than 400 ng/mL—could be a sign of liver tumors. High levels of AFP may mean other cancers, including Hodgkin disease, lymphoma, and renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).

How accurate is AFP test for liver cancer?

At a cut-off of 20ng/mL, the most commonly used cut-off in clinical practice, AFP has a sensitivity and specificity of approximately 60% and 80% for HCC, respectively(8). However, most studies have assumed that AFP performs equally well in all patients, independent of liver disease etiology or severity.

What does the alpha fetoprotein test indicate?

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.

What is considered a high tumor marker?

Normal range: < 2.5 ng/ml. Normal range may vary somewhat depending on the brand of assay used. Levels > 10 ng/ml suggest extensive disease and levels > 20 ng/ml suggest metastatic disease.

What does high alpha fetoprotein tumor marker mean?

High levels of AFP can be a sign of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles, as well as noncancerous liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. High AFP levels don’t always mean cancer, and normal levels don’t always rule out cancer.

How accurate is the alpha-fetoprotein test?

This means it is not 100% accurate. It is only a screening test to see who might need more tests for their pregnancy. There can be false-positive results. These results show a problem when the baby is actually healthy.

What causes high levels of alpha-fetoprotein?

High levels of AFP can be a sign of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles, as well as noncancerous liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.

What cancers can AFP detect?

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is used as a tumor marker to help detect and diagnose cancers of the liver, testicles, and ovaries.

When is the AFP test done?

The American Pregnancy Association says that all pregnant women should be offered an AFP test sometime between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy.

What can an AFP test tell you about your baby?

Checking the level of AFP in a mom-to-be can show if their baby may have problems with their neural tube, what will become the brain and spinal cord. AFP is one of the blood tests you have in a triple screen or quad screen.