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alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum/plasma

Also see alpha-1-fetoprotein in body fluid. Indications: - evaluation of - metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma - non-seminomatous testicular cancer - yolk sac tumor - fetal anomalies - neural tube defects Contraindications: - insufficiently sensitive for survelliance for hepatocellular carcinoma Reference values: 1) Concentration of AFP: Normal males: < 8.0 ng/mL. Normal females: <10.0 ng/mL. 2) Concentration of AFP in maternal serum & amniotic Fluid is subject to gestational age - see alpha-1-Fetoprotein MOM in serum/plasma Clinical significance: 1) Human serum or plasma is used in the management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer. 2) Human serum or plasma & amniotic fluid at 15 to 21 weeks gestation to aid in the detection of fetal open neural tube defects (NTD). Test results when used in conjunction with ultrasonography & amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase testing are a safe & effective aid in the detection of fetal open NTD. Maternal serum levels > 2-fold the median should be investigated with ultrasonography. 3) Levels are used to monitor the course of hepatocellular carcinoma & the response to treatment. 4) Elevated levels may reflect regenerative activity of hepatocytes. 5) Levels may be directly related to tumor size in embryonal malignant teratomas of the testes are useful in following the course of disease - malignant teratomas of the ovaries are rare (NELM) [13] - reports of elevated serum AFP - serum AFP more useful for yolk sac tumor - value of 1000 ng/mL cas report (NELM) [13] 6) Serum AFP normally decreases after birth & is detectable only in trace amounts after 1 year of life. Increases: 1) clinical disorders a) metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (100%) - values as high as 1 mg/mL, much higher than in testicular cancer b) non-seminomatous testicular cancer (50%) c) other cancers (small %) - pancreas, stomach, colon, lung d) cirrhosis or hepatitis (5-10%) e) alcoholic liver disease f) choriocarcinoma g) embryonal carcinoma h) fetal anomalies: maternal serum 1] neural tube defects 2] omphalocele 3] esophageal or duodenal atresia 4] Meckel's syndrome 5] fetal hepatic necrosis secondary to viral infection 6] other anomalies 2) no chemical interferences Decreases: -> maternal serum - Down's syndrome (trisomy 21), fetal demise, molar pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, trisomy 18, overestimated gestational age Principle: - see alpha-1-fetoprotein in body fluid Specimen: - see alpha-1-fetoprotein in body fluid

Related

alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) [Multiple of the median, MOM] adjusted in serum/plasma alpha-fetoprotein; alpha-1-fetoprotein; alpha-fetoglobulin (AFP HPAFP)

Specific

alpha-1-Fetoprotein L3/alpha-1-fetoprotein.total in serum/plasma

General

alpha-1-fetoprotein in body fluid

References

  1. Abbott Laboratories ,Diagnostic Division ,Abbott Park, IL 60064 Tumor Markers, IMx AFP, FEBRUARY 1990.
  2. IMx System Operation Manual, Abbott Diagnostics, a Division of Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL. 60064, AUGUST 1988.
  3. IMx System Assay Manual, Abbott Diagnostics, a Division of Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL. 60064, AUGUST 1988.
  4. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed., W.B. Saunders, 1995
  5. Panel of 23 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 80108
  6. Panel of 25 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 80269
  7. Alpha Fetoprotein Tumor Marker Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 80428
  8. Panel of 17 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 80434
  9. Panel of 24 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 81064
  10. Mini Panel of 2 tests: Alpha Fetoprotein Total . Alpha Fetoprotein L3% Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 81208
  11. Panel of 24 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 81294
  12. Mini Panel of 2 tests: Alpha Fetoprotein Total . Alpha Fetoprotein L3% Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 81326
  13. NEJM Knowledge+

Component-of

fetal congenital anomalies 5 analyte panel QUAD screen (quadruple test, quadruple screen, 4-test screen) triple screen (triple test, maternal AFP, msAFP, 3-test screen)