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Alpha Fetoprotein (FETO)

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EPIC Test Name

AFP TUMOR MARKER

EPIC Code

LAB559

Specimen Requirements

plasma
Minimum Volume:2 mL
Collection:Collect specimens using standard laboratory procedures.
Transport:Room Temperature ASAP
Stability:Refrigerated: 7 days at 2-8 degrees C
Frozen: 3 months at -20 degrees C
Container:LT GRN
Rejection Causes:Hemolysis,
Insufficient Sample Volume

Methods

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay ECLIA

Turnaround Time

SpecimenTurnaround TimeFrequency
plasmaRoutine: 4 hours24/7

Reference Ranges

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay ECLIA
All RangeUnit
<9 ng/mLng/mL

Clinical Indications

Alpha‑fetoprotein (AFP), an albumin‑like glycoprotein with a molecular (MW 70kD), is formed in the yolk sac, non‑differentiated liver cells, and the fetal gastro‑intestinal tract. Elevated AFP occurs to about 70‑95 % of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (the later stage, the higher the AFP values). Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and AFP are important parameters for estimating the survival rate of patients with advanced, nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. There are no evidence of correlation between the AFP concentration and tumor size, tumor growth, stage or degree of malignancy. Greatly elevated AFP values generally indicate primary liver cell carcinoma, while as, for patients with liver metastasis, the AFP values are generally below 350‑400 IU/mL. AFP values increase during regeneration of the liver, a moderate increase in alcohol-mediated liver cirrhosis and acute viral hepatitis as well as in carriers of HBsAg. High APF concentrations also occur to newborns and pregnant women.
The AFP measurement in screening for cancer in the general population is not recommended.

Additional Information

AFP is used as an adjunct or assistant in the diagnosis and monitoring of AFP-producing tumors. The diagnosis should always be established by other tests, procedures and clinical presentations.

Common Synonyms

AFP

Performed

Lab
Chemistry - Downtown

Interpretative Information

AFP concentrations may be increased in patients with a variety of malignancies or benign diseases, e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, during regeneration of the liver, alcohol-mediated liver cirrhosis and acute viral hepatitis and carriers of HBsAg.
Persisted elevation of AFP value by approximately 1 month after surgery removal of a tumor suggests the residual tumor tissue still presence.
AFP concentration increase after remission suggests tumor recurrence.

CPT

82105

LOINC

1834-1

References

1. Ramsey WH, Wu GY. Hepatocellular carcinoma: update on diagnosis and treatment. Dig-Dis 1995;13,2:81-91.
2. Sato Y, Nakata K, Kato Y, et al. Early recognition of hepatocellular carcinoma based on altered profiles of alpha-fetoprotein. N Engl J Med 1993;328(25):1802-6.
3. Klepp O. Serum tumor markers in testicular and extragonadal germ cell malignancies. Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl 1991;206:28-41.
4. Sturgeon C. Practice Guidelines for Tumor Marker Use in the Clinic. Clin Chem 2002;48(8):1151-9.
5. Stuart KE, Anand AJ, Jenkins RL. Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the United States. Cancer 1996;77:2217-22.
6. Bablok W, Passing H, Bender R, et al. A general regression procedure for method transformation. Application of linear regression procedures for method comparison studies in clinical chemistry, Part III. J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1988;26:783-90.

Contact Information

Chemistry - Downtown: (315)464-4460
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