Alpha Fetoprotein(AFP) Quantitative

Alpha-fetoprotein (alpha fetoprotein, AFP) is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 72KD synthesized by yolk sac and liver cells in the early stage of embryonic development. It has a high concentration in fetal blood circulation, and its level drops to normal within one year after birth. Normal adult blood levels are extremely low. The content of AFP is related to the degree of inflammation and necrosis of liver cells. Elevation of AFP is a reflection of liver cell damage, necrosis, and subsequent proliferation. Alpha-fetoprotein detection is an important indicator for clinical diagnosis and prognosis monitoring of primary liver cancer. It has been widely used in tumor diagnosis in clinical medicine.

Determination of alpha-fetoprotein can be used for auxiliary diagnosis, curative effect and prognosis observation of primary liver cancer. In some diseases (non-seminoma testicular cancer, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, acute or chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and other malignant diseases), the increase of alpha-fetoprotein can also be seen, and AFP should not be used as a general cancer detection screening tool.