Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), Serum, Tumor Marker (AFP TM)
|
| Synonyms:
| AFP, Alpha I - Fetoprotein |
| Specimen: | Blood; (1) SST (serum separator) or Red (no preservative) top vacutainer tube.
|
| Volume: | Full primary tube |
| Minimum Volume: | 0.3 mL serum |
| Collection: | If tube other than an SST is collected, transfer serum to a tightly capped plastic aliquot tube within 2 hours of collection for transport.
Refrigerate at 2-8°C. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Gross hemolysis; plasma specimen; improper labeling. |
| Reference Range: | Tumor marker nomrals: 0-6.0 ng/mL Normal values apply only to males and nonpregnant females. |
| Methodology: | Immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA) |
| Test Use: | The most important application of AFP testing in cancer management is for testicular cancer. Although not present in pure seminoma,1 elevated serum AFP is closely associated with nonseminomatous testicular cancer.2-4 The measurement of AFP in serum, in co |
| Additional Information: | In adults, serum AFP concentrations remain low except during pregnancy, benign liver diseases, (hepatitis, cirrhosis), primary hepatocellular carcinoma, and certain germ cell tumors. |
| Testing Includes: | Specimen sent to LabCorp. LabCorp test # 002253. |
| Testing Facility: | LabCorp |