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Alpha Fetoprotein Tumor Marker
Test CodeAFPTM
Alias/See Also
QUEST TC# 237
CPT Codes
82105
Preferred Specimen
Serum or Plasma
Minimum Volume
50 uL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma- Lithium Heparin (PST)
Plasma- EDTA (Lavender)
Serum- Red Top
Gold Top (SST)
Tiger top
Plasma- EDTA (Lavender)
Serum- Red Top
Gold Top (SST)
Tiger top
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature: N/A
Refrigerated: 7 days at 2-8 deg C
Frozen: 3 months at -20 deg C. Freeze only once.
Refrigerated: 7 days at 2-8 deg C
Frozen: 3 months at -20 deg C. Freeze only once.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Samples not labeled with completed first and last name and date of birth.
Grossly hemolyzed
Grossly hemolyzed
Methodology
Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Sun-Sat
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin (Vitamin B) doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.
Reference Range
≤8.3 ng/mL
>18 months: Normal values apply only to males and to nonpregnant females. These results are not interpretable for pregnant females.
Infants less than 18 months of age: Range for newborns are not available. Neonates have markedly elevated AFP levels (>100,000 ng/mL) that gradually decrease after birth until they reach adult levels by 12 to 18 months of age.
>18 months: Normal values apply only to males and to nonpregnant females. These results are not interpretable for pregnant females.
Infants less than 18 months of age: Range for newborns are not available. Neonates have markedly elevated AFP levels (>100,000 ng/mL) that gradually decrease after birth until they reach adult levels by 12 to 18 months of age.
Clinical Significance
Use to determination of α1 fetoprotein in human serum and plasma to aid in the management of patients with non seminomatous germ cell tumors.
Alpha 1-fetoprotein, an albumin like glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 70000 daltons, is formed in the yolk sac, non-differentiated liver cells, and the fetal gastro intestinal tract.
70-95 % of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma have elevated AFP values.
The later the stage of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, the higher the AFP values. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and AFP are important parameters for estimating the survival rate of patients with advanced, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.
No correlation between the AFP concentration and tumor size, tumor growth, stage or degree of malignancy has so far been demonstrated. Greatly elevated AFP values generally indicate primary liver cell carcinoma. When liver metastasis exists, the AFP values are generally below 350-400 IU/mL. As the AFP values rise during regeneration of the liver, moderately elevated values are found in alcohol-mediated liver cirrhosis and acute viral hepatitis as well as in carriers of HBsAg.
The determination of AFP to screen the general population for cancer is, however, not to be recommended.
Alpha 1-fetoprotein, an albumin like glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 70000 daltons, is formed in the yolk sac, non-differentiated liver cells, and the fetal gastro intestinal tract.
70-95 % of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma have elevated AFP values.
The later the stage of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, the higher the AFP values. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and AFP are important parameters for estimating the survival rate of patients with advanced, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.
No correlation between the AFP concentration and tumor size, tumor growth, stage or degree of malignancy has so far been demonstrated. Greatly elevated AFP values generally indicate primary liver cell carcinoma. When liver metastasis exists, the AFP values are generally below 350-400 IU/mL. As the AFP values rise during regeneration of the liver, moderately elevated values are found in alcohol-mediated liver cirrhosis and acute viral hepatitis as well as in carriers of HBsAg.
The determination of AFP to screen the general population for cancer is, however, not to be recommended.
Performing Laboratory
Frederick Health Laboratory
400 W 7th Street
Frederick MD 21701
Last Updated: December 28, 2023
