Has your doctor told you to get an AFP blood test? When you hear the name, you may be a little scared, wondering, 'Is this a test to look for cancer?' It's true, this is a test used as a tumor marker. But don't worry. Not every time the AFP level is elevated, it means you have cancer. Today, we'll talk about what this AFP test is, why it's done, and how to easily understand what the report says.
What exactly is Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)?
Simply put, AFP is a type of protein found in our blood. Normally, a healthy adult has very small amounts of this AFP protein in their body. It is mainly produced by the liver of a baby in the womb. Therefore, it is normal for a pregnant mother to have high levels of AFP in her blood.
However, if the AFP level in the blood of an adult is significantly elevated, it is a sign that there may be a problem with something in our body, especially with the liver . But remember, having an elevated AFP level does not always mean that you have a serious illness. Some healthy people may naturally have a little more AFP in their bodies than others.
Why is the doctor asking you to do this AFP test?
There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend this test. Although it cannot immediately tell you what disease you have, it is a very important step in the diagnostic process.
| Reason for testing | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| To find the cause of a lump on the body | If you have a lump in your liver, testicles, or ovaries, this test can help find the cause. |
| To plan cancer treatment | If someone is diagnosed with cancer, knowing this AFP level is important to determine the most appropriate treatment. |
| To measure the success of treatments | During cancer treatment, doctors regularly check AFP levels to see how well the treatment is working. If the treatment is successful, the AFP level should decrease. |
| To check for a recurrence of cancer | This test is also used to check for recurrence of cancer after treatment. An elevated AFP level can be a clue to this before symptoms appear. |
How do you do this test?
It's very simple. It can be done in your doctor's office or at a hospital. A qualified person will come in and take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm into a small syringe. It's just like a regular blood test. You'll feel a little pain when the needle is inserted, but it only lasts a few seconds. You may have some bruising where the blood was drawn, but that will go away in a day or two. Your blood sample will then be sent to a lab to measure your AFP level.
How do I understand the values in the report?
Doctors measure AFP in units called nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). This is what will be listed with your value on your report.
The most important thing is not to panic when you see that your AFP level is high. You will need to do more tests to find the exact cause. Only your doctor can give you the best explanation for your report.
Elevated AFP levels can be caused not only by cancer, but also by other liver conditions, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Sometimes, AFP levels can temporarily increase after an injury to the liver, even when it is healing.
The table below gives a rough idea of what AFP levels can mean. However, this is not medical advice.
| AFP level (ng/mL) | Possible meaning (this is just a rough idea) |
|---|---|
| 0 - 8 ng/mL | Considered a normal level for most healthy adults. |
| 8 - 200 ng/mL | It could be a liver condition (hepatitis, cirrhosis), liver damage, or possibly an early stage of cancer. Further tests (e.g., scans) are needed to confirm the cause. |
| Above 200 ng/mL (if you already have liver disease) | This increase in AFP levels in someone who already has a liver disease such as cirrhosis raises a strong suspicion of liver cancer. |
| Very high, greater than 500 - 1,000 ng/mL | Very high levels like these can often be a sign of the presence of some type of cancer (especially those related to the liver, testicles, or ovaries). |
What is the special test called AFP-L3%?
Let's say your AFP is slightly elevated, but still below 200 ng/mL. Especially if you have a long-standing liver disease like cirrhosis, your doctor may want to further explain the cause of the AFP elevation. That's when the AFP-L3% test comes in handy.
This measures the percentage of a specific type of AFP called AFP-L3 in your blood. If this percentage is 10% or higher, it means that you are at a higher risk of developing liver cancer in the future. Therefore, your doctor will monitor you more closely and check you regularly for signs of cancer.
Take-Home Message
- AFP is a protein that is measured in the blood. High levels of this can be due to a variety of reasons, and it doesn't always mean cancer.
- The best person to understand the results of this test is your doctor. Don't panic and jump to conclusions based on the report or the internet.
- If the AFP value is high, the doctor will recommend further tests (e.g., scans) to determine the exact cause.
- This test is very important to measure the success of cancer treatments and to see if the disease recurs after treatment.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this, discuss everything clearly with your doctor.
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