Test Details

• Discipline:

  Biochemistry

  Biochemistry

• Specimen Container Adult:

  Serum-SST

  Serum-SST

• Specimen Container Paediatric:

  Serum-Plain tube

  Serum-Plain tube

• Minimum Volume Adult:

  1 mL blood

  1 mL blood

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  1 mL blood

  1 mL blood

• Sample Stability:

  Unseparated: 7 days
  Separated:

  - At 20-25C - 3 days

  - At 2-8C - 7 days

  - At -20C - 3 months

  Unseparated: 7 days
  Separated:

  - At 20-25C - 3 days

  - At 2-8C - 7 days

  - At -20C - 3 months

• Interpretation:

  Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is produced in early fetal life by the liver and by a variety of tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the ovary...

  Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is produced in early fetal life by the liver and by a variety of tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the ovary and testis (eg, yolk sac and embryonal carcinoma). Most studies report elevated AFP concentrations in approximately 70% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Elevated AFP concentrations are found in 50% to 70% of patients with nonseminomatous testicular tumors.
  AFP is elevated during pregnancy. Persistence of AFP in the mother following birth is a rare hereditary condition. Neonates have markedly elevated AFP levels (>100,000 ng/mL) that rapidly fall to below 100 ng/mL by 150 days and gradually return to normal over their first year.
  Concentrations of AFP above the reference range but rarely exceeding 400 KU/L have also been found in serum of patients with benign liver disease (eg, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis), gastrointestinal tract tumors and, along with carcinoembryonic antigen in ataxia telangiectasia.
  Levels correlate with tumour burden and high concentrations indicate a poor prognosis.
  
  Low AFP with high CEA is indicative of liver metastases.
  
  AFP is not recommended as a screening procedure for cancer detection in the general population.

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• Reference Ranges:

  18 years and over: <6kU/L

  AFP levels are very high at birth and fall within the first weeks of life, with a half-life of 5.5 days. Suggest repeat within 24 hours to monitor trend if concerned.

  18 years and over: <6kU/L

  AFP levels are very high at birth and fall within the first weeks of life, with a half-life of 5.5 days. Suggest repeat within 24 hours to monitor trend if concerned.

• Factors Affecting Result:

  There is no high dose hook effect at AFP concentrations up to 1.21 x 106 kU/L
  Heterophilic antibodies can interfere with immunoassays.

  There is no high dose hook effect at AFP concentrations up to 1.21 x 106 kU/L
  Heterophilic antibodies can interfere with immunoassays.

• Other Info:

  Plasma- Lithium Heparin also acceptable

  Plasma- Lithium Heparin also acceptable

• Routine Contact Name:

  Duty Biochemist

• Routine Telephone:

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

• Routine Email:

  nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net