AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) has greatest utility in the management of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and nonseminomatous testicular cancer. Studies have shown that greater than 70% of patients have elevations in AFP with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Elevated AFP levels have occasionally been found in association with gastrointestinal tract cancers, with and without liver metastases and only rarely in other malignancies. Serum AFP is elevated during pregnancy, and in non-malignant diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia, hereditary tyrosinemia, teratocarcinoma and often, transiently, in benign hepatitis conditions, such as acute, or chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. Although not recommended, if used as a screening test, care must be taken in the interpretation of the results.
Source:
Abbott Alinity AFP reagent package insert: G71264R01, September 2016.