Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No fasting required. Stop supplements containing biotin, vitamin B7, B8, H, or coenzyme R at least 72 hours before your blood draw.
- Turnaround: 2-3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holidays, or lab delays.
What This Test Measures
This test measures Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in your blood, a protein your liver produces when its cells grow and divide. AFP is naturally high before birth but drops to very low levels in healthy, non-pregnant adults. When AFP rises in a non-pregnant adult, it is measured as a tumor marker, a substance that cancer cells or the body's response to cancer can produce.
This test supports screening for liver, testicular, and ovarian cancers and helps monitor how these cancers respond to treatment. When combined with other exams and tests, results may help your healthcare provider support or exclude a cancer diagnosis, track whether treatment is working, check for cancer recurrence, and follow individuals with prolonged hepatitis or cirrhosis who face a higher risk of liver cancer.
Benefits
- Helps screen for liver, testicular, and ovarian cancers
- Supports monitoring of how cancer responds to treatment
- Assists in checking whether cancer has returned
- Provides diagnostic support alongside other exams and tests
- Helps monitor liver health in people with hepatitis or cirrhosis
- Offers ongoing insight for individuals in active cancer treatment
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing symptoms associated with liver, testicular, or ovarian cancer
- Individuals currently undergoing treatment for liver, testicular, or ovarian cancer
- People wanting to check for cancer recurrence following treatment
- Individuals with prolonged hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver
- People whose healthcare provider recommends AFP as part of a broader diagnostic workup
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), a protein used as a tumor marker in non-pregnant adults. It helps your healthcare provider screen for liver, testicular, and ovarian cancers and monitor how these cancers respond to treatment. When used alongside other exams and tests, it may help support or exclude a cancer diagnosis, help predict how the cancer may behave over time, and help check whether cancer has returned after treatment.
2. Who is this test for?
This test may be appropriate if you are experiencing symptoms associated with liver, testicular, or ovarian cancer; if you are currently being treated for one of these cancers and your healthcare provider wants to monitor your response; if you are checking for cancer recurrence after treatment; or if you have prolonged hepatitis or cirrhosis, conditions that raise the risk of developing liver cancer.
3. How does this test differ from other cancer-related tests?
This test measures a single tumor marker, Alpha-Fetoprotein, from a blood sample, and its supported role centers specifically on screening for liver, testicular, and ovarian cancers, monitoring treatment response, and checking for recurrence. Other cancer-related tests measure different biomarkers and may support different clinical purposes, so this test's scope is specific to AFP and the cancers it is associated with.
4. Do I need to fast before this test?
No fasting is required for this test. You should stop taking supplements containing biotin, vitamin B7, B8, H, or coenzyme R at least 72 hours before your blood collection.
5. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 2 to 3 days. Turnaround may take longer depending on weather, holidays, or lab delays.
6. How do I interpret the results?
Interpreting your AFP results depends on the specific value, your medical history, and your overall clinical picture. An elevated AFP level does not automatically confirm a cancer diagnosis, and a normal level does not automatically rule cancer out. If you are being monitored over time, changes in your AFP level may provide useful context, though they do not guarantee a specific clinical outcome on their own. Results are best interpreted alongside other laboratory findings, imaging, or clinical evaluation, in discussion with your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
7. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
Review results that fall outside the expected range with a qualified healthcare provider. An abnormal result does not mean cancer is present on its own, and your provider may recommend further evaluation based on their clinical assessment.
8. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency should be determined by your healthcare provider based on your individual situation, including whether the test is being used for screening, treatment monitoring, or recurrence checks. Follow your provider's guidance for any repeat testing.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required for this test. Stop taking supplements that contain biotin, vitamin B7, B8, H, or coenzyme R at least 72 hours before your blood collection.
