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Alpha-Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker
Test Code237
CPT Codes
82105
Includes
For use in cancer testing only. See Maternal Serum Screen 1, 2, or 3 for prenatal testing of maternal serum.
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Instructions
Administration of STRENSIQ may interfere in certain assays and may falsely elevate values. For patients receiving STRENSIQ, consideration should be given to using alternate methods.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 45 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 45 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Grossly lipemic
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Sets up 5 days a week.
Limitations
Patients who have received monoclonal mouse antibodies may have abnormal results. For any patient taking a high dose of biotin, the specimen should be drawn at least eight hours after the last dose.
Clinical Significance
Elevation of serum AFP above values found in healthy individuals occurs in several malignant diseases, most notably nonseminomatous testicular cancer and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. AFP is not recommended as a screening procedure to detect cancer in the general population.
