AFP Tumor Marker
$70.00
AFP Tumor Marker – Cedar Park, TX
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), an oncofetal antigen, is a glycoprotein of normal fetal plasma produced by the yolk sac and liver during fetal development. Levels are very high at birth, and rapidly fall over the first few months of life. Very low levels of AFP are typically present in the serum of nonpregnant adults, but can be increased in hepatic disorders associated with hepatocyte regenerative activity. Marked elevations can be seen in hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma) as well as various nonseminomatous germ cell tumors in males and certain germ cell tumors in females.
Aid in diagnosis, assess prognosis, and monitor treatment in patients suspected of having hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Surveillance of patients at risk for development of HCC (eg, cirrhosis due to hepatitis B or C), in conjunction with hepatic ultrasound. Overlap with AFP elevations caused by nonmalignant chronic liver disease should be realized.
Assess prognosis in patients with hepatoblastoma (most common liver malignancy in children younger than 4 years of age)Aid in diagnosis, monitor response to treatment and recurrence for certain germ cell tumors.