It is a protein made by the fetal liver. When the baby is born, the levels in the baby’s blood are high but decrease until the first year. Adults have very low values of AFP in blood unless they do not have tumors secreting AFP. AFP levels may be high in liver cancer, ovarian and testis cancers. It is a tumor marker, but not always a definite cancer marker. It may also elevate in noncancerous diseases like cirrhosis or hepatitis affecting the liver.
Interpretation: Low levels are not considerable. High levels, may help diagnosing liver, ovarian and testicular cancer. High levels may also point noncancerous tumors. Sometimes it is elevated in Lymphoma and Hodgkin’s Disease.
Sample: Arm vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: The same day 6 .00 PM
