Please explain my AFP and serum tumor marker test results.

Question

Hello doctor,

I had some lab work done and this was part of the blood test AFP, serum tumor marker 1.9, 0.0-8.3 (ng/mL). Can you please explain this to me?

Five years back, I had a complete laryngectomy and a flap. So, I breathe through a stoma but my doctor did all the tests and found polyps and liver cyst and I was diagnosed with cirrhosis.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have thoroughly reviewed your query. The laboratory investigation under discussion here is alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which in your case might have been done to rule out a possible malignancy of liver (it is a common tumor marker used to screen hepatic or liver carcinoma).

But at 1.9 ng/ml, your value was within normal limits. Apart from liver malignancy, AFP may also be elevated in various other tumors and also in certain common non-malignant conditions like active hepatitis (liver inflammation), cirrhosis and few other conditions.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online.

Thank you.