Aa
A.F.P-TM greater then 10,000 IU/ml - is it definitely HCC?
A.F.P-TM greater then 10,000 IU/ml - is it definitely HCC?
I’m sure you are concerned I am too for you and my own situation but neither of us will know what is really going on until we have further testing like CT scan done.
But remember even HCC isn’t a death sentence. They can possibly remove the cancerous parts of the liver or there are treatments that can shrink the size of tumors. Also depending on your overall health a liver transplant may also be an option.
Hang in there
Never give up
But remember even HCC isn’t a death sentence. They can possibly remove the cancerous parts of the liver or there are treatments that can shrink the size of tumors. Also depending on your overall health a liver transplant may also be an option.
Hang in there
Never give up
“ In nonpregnant adults, high blood levels (over 500 nanograms/milliliter [or ng/ml]) of AFP are seen in only a few situations, such as
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary cancer of the liver;
germ cell tumors (a type of cancer of the testes and ovaries, such as embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumors); and
ataxia telangiectasia, a severely disabling and rare genetic neurodegenerative disease.
Several assays (tests) for measuring AFP in the blood (serum) are available to laboratories. Generally, normal levels of AFP are below 10 ng/ml. People with various types of acute and chronic liver diseases without documentable liver cancer can have mild or even moderate elevations of AFP, though usually less than 500 ng/ml
Primary liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma, is more common in some forms of chronic liver disease. As a screening test in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, or hemochromatosis, AFP has a sensitivity for liver cancer of about 70%. In other words, an elevated AFP blood test is seen in about 70% people with primary liver cancer. That leaves about 30% of patients in these high-risk groups who can have liver cancer but have normal AFP levels. Consequently, the test is not diagnostic but is an indicator of a potential situation. Therefore, a normal AFP does not exclude liver cancer. For example, AFP levels are normal in a patient with fibrolamellar carcinoma, a variant of hepatocellular carcinoma.
As noted above, an abnormal AFP does not mean that an individual has liver cancer. It is important to note, however, that people with cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and an abnormal AFP, despite having no evidence of liver cancer, still are at very high risk of developing liver cancer. Thus, anyone with cirrhosis and an elevated AFP, particularly with steadily rising blood levels, will either most likely develop liver cancer or actually already have an undiscovered liver cancer.
An AFP greater than 500 ng/ml is very suggestive of liver cancer. In fact, the blood level of AFP loosely relates to (correlates with) the size of the liver cancer.“
https://www.rxlist.com/alpha-fetoprotein_blood_test/article.htm
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary cancer of the liver;
germ cell tumors (a type of cancer of the testes and ovaries, such as embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumors); and
ataxia telangiectasia, a severely disabling and rare genetic neurodegenerative disease.
Several assays (tests) for measuring AFP in the blood (serum) are available to laboratories. Generally, normal levels of AFP are below 10 ng/ml. People with various types of acute and chronic liver diseases without documentable liver cancer can have mild or even moderate elevations of AFP, though usually less than 500 ng/ml
Primary liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma, is more common in some forms of chronic liver disease. As a screening test in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, or hemochromatosis, AFP has a sensitivity for liver cancer of about 70%. In other words, an elevated AFP blood test is seen in about 70% people with primary liver cancer. That leaves about 30% of patients in these high-risk groups who can have liver cancer but have normal AFP levels. Consequently, the test is not diagnostic but is an indicator of a potential situation. Therefore, a normal AFP does not exclude liver cancer. For example, AFP levels are normal in a patient with fibrolamellar carcinoma, a variant of hepatocellular carcinoma.
As noted above, an abnormal AFP does not mean that an individual has liver cancer. It is important to note, however, that people with cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and an abnormal AFP, despite having no evidence of liver cancer, still are at very high risk of developing liver cancer. Thus, anyone with cirrhosis and an elevated AFP, particularly with steadily rising blood levels, will either most likely develop liver cancer or actually already have an undiscovered liver cancer.
An AFP greater than 500 ng/ml is very suggestive of liver cancer. In fact, the blood level of AFP loosely relates to (correlates with) the size of the liver cancer.“
https://www.rxlist.com/alpha-fetoprotein_blood_test/article.htm
“ What is an AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) tumor marker test?
AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein. It is a protein made in the liver of a developing baby. AFP levels are usually high when a baby is born, but fall to very low levels by the age of 1. Healthy adults should have very low levels of AFP.
An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body. High levels of AFP can be a sign of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles, as well as noncancerous liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
High AFP levels don't always mean cancer, and normal levels don't always rule out cancer. So an AFP tumor marker test is not usually used by itself to screen for or diagnose cancer. But it can help diagnose cancer when used with other tests. The test may also be used to help monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment and to see if cancer has returned after you've finished treatment.
Other names: total AFP, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 Percent”
AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein. It is a protein made in the liver of a developing baby. AFP levels are usually high when a baby is born, but fall to very low levels by the age of 1. Healthy adults should have very low levels of AFP.
An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body. High levels of AFP can be a sign of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles, as well as noncancerous liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
High AFP levels don't always mean cancer, and normal levels don't always rule out cancer. So an AFP tumor marker test is not usually used by itself to screen for or diagnose cancer. But it can help diagnose cancer when used with other tests. The test may also be used to help monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment and to see if cancer has returned after you've finished treatment.
Other names: total AFP, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 Percent”
What they are looking for is trend information
If your AFP had consistently bern normal or near normal and suddenly changed to very elevated that would be a concerning development but would still need to be confirmed by other testing like CT scan
If your AFP had consistently bern normal or near normal and suddenly changed to very elevated that would be a concerning development but would still need to be confirmed by other testing like CT scan
“ High levels of AFP can be a sign of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles, as well as noncancerous liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. High AFP levels don't always mean cancer, and normal levels don't always rule out cancer.”
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/alpha-fetoprotein-afp-tumor-marker-test/
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/alpha-fetoprotein-afp-tumor-marker-test/
No. Is that your AFP score?
I have my AFP every six months to check for possible signs of liver cancer along with the ultrasound.
AFP only gives possible indications and some have suggest it is not that useful as a liver tumor marker. You could have a normal AFP and have liver cancer moderately often. And elevated levels may or may not indicate liver cancer. That needs to corroborate by other test results
I have my AFP every six months to check for possible signs of liver cancer along with the ultrasound.
AFP only gives possible indications and some have suggest it is not that useful as a liver tumor marker. You could have a normal AFP and have liver cancer moderately often. And elevated levels may or may not indicate liver cancer. That needs to corroborate by other test results
4 Comments
Previous time that I did AFT test was back 19-Aug-2018 and then it was 2.
One hepa told me I might have malignant process, it was on phone, he didn't see for last 20 years, he said that he must see the CT that I am doing next week.
Isn't so high AFT result mean that I have HCC?
to remind - SVR from 2008, Fibrotest 6 months ago said F2-F3. CT 18 months ago only said liver is fatty (that was antrograpy protocol abdominal and basin)
Isn't so high AFT result mean that I have HCC?
One hepa told me I might have malignant process, it was on phone, he didn't see for last 20 years, he said that he must see the CT that I am doing next week.
Isn't so high AFT result mean that I have HCC?
to remind - SVR from 2008, Fibrotest 6 months ago said F2-F3. CT 18 months ago only said liver is fatty (that was antrograpy protocol abdominal and basin)
Isn't so high AFT result mean that I have HCC?
Mid range Fibroscans are less accurate
Again 2 to 3 could mean 2 or 3 or higher it was just a spit check they could easily miss higher damage but if they find F4 you are F4 if they find 2 to 3 you could still possibly be F4
For reference my AFP has been running between 8 to 12 with being checked every six months since 2008
Slight elevations like mine are common it the setting of cirrhosis or hep c.
Sudden elevations to significantly higher number “could be” indicative of “possible” HCC
Having elevated AFP does not prove HCC it only says maybe and thus needs further testing like CT scan to prove or disprove HCC
Fatty liver causes cirrhosis. Having a liver already damaged by hep C and being F2 to F3 prior to cure is near cirrhosis then having fatty liver continues your risk of cirrhosis even if your hep c is cured.
Fatty liver alone can cause cirrhosis.
You were already at risk because you had hep c having fatty liver would be potentially similar as far as liver disease and risk of cirrhosis is concerned to drink regularly
Again 2 to 3 could mean 2 or 3 or higher it was just a spit check they could easily miss higher damage but if they find F4 you are F4 if they find 2 to 3 you could still possibly be F4
For reference my AFP has been running between 8 to 12 with being checked every six months since 2008
Slight elevations like mine are common it the setting of cirrhosis or hep c.
Sudden elevations to significantly higher number “could be” indicative of “possible” HCC
Having elevated AFP does not prove HCC it only says maybe and thus needs further testing like CT scan to prove or disprove HCC
Fatty liver causes cirrhosis. Having a liver already damaged by hep C and being F2 to F3 prior to cure is near cirrhosis then having fatty liver continues your risk of cirrhosis even if your hep c is cured.
Fatty liver alone can cause cirrhosis.
You were already at risk because you had hep c having fatty liver would be potentially similar as far as liver disease and risk of cirrhosis is concerned to drink regularly
Just a spot check not spot check. In other words they only checked a few areas not your entire liver. Even the liver biopsy which was once considered the “gold standard” for cirrhosis diagnosis is subject to sampling error.
Gurr darn spell checker. Spot check not spit check final answer lol
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
