Aa
blood results
my AFT TUMOR MARKERS (R) result is 25.1 flagged as high is this indicative my liver has gone into cancer?? They sent my bloodwork results to me and wont see Dr until the 14th of may
Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in patients with advanced hepatitis C: Results from the HALT-C Trial ☆
"..Background/Aims
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been useful in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but lacks specificity. We assessed serum AFP among patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis to establish predictors of AFP elevations and changes with antiviral therapy.
Methods
Serum AFP was measured at baseline and on therapy in patients in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C). AFP levels were correlated with patient demographic and clinical features.
Results
Baseline AFP was ≥20 ng/mL in 191 of 1145 patients (16.6%). Mean AFP values were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in those with bridging fibrosis (22.5 vs. 11.4 ng/mL, P20 ng/mL.
Conclusions
Among patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C, serum AFP values are frequently elevated, even in the absence of HCC. Factors associated with raised AFP include severity of liver disease, female gender and black race. Serum AFP levels decline during antiviral therapy."
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168827805003090
Mike
"..Background/Aims
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been useful in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but lacks specificity. We assessed serum AFP among patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis to establish predictors of AFP elevations and changes with antiviral therapy.
Methods
Serum AFP was measured at baseline and on therapy in patients in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C). AFP levels were correlated with patient demographic and clinical features.
Results
Baseline AFP was ≥20 ng/mL in 191 of 1145 patients (16.6%). Mean AFP values were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in those with bridging fibrosis (22.5 vs. 11.4 ng/mL, P20 ng/mL.
Conclusions
Among patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C, serum AFP values are frequently elevated, even in the absence of HCC. Factors associated with raised AFP include severity of liver disease, female gender and black race. Serum AFP levels decline during antiviral therapy."
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168827805003090
Mike
I inadvertently failed to paste the complete results text. Here it is:
Results
Baseline AFP was ≥20 ng/mL in 191 of 1145 patients (16.6%). Mean AFP values were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in those with bridging fibrosis (22.5 vs. 11.4 ng/mL, P20 ng/mL.
Results
Baseline AFP was ≥20 ng/mL in 191 of 1145 patients (16.6%). Mean AFP values were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in those with bridging fibrosis (22.5 vs. 11.4 ng/mL, P20 ng/mL.
It's not me - it's MH censorship and I cannot figure out why portions are being deleted. One more try:
Factors independently associated with raised serum AFP in patients with cirrhosis were female gender, black race, decreased platelet count, increased serum AST/ALT ratio, serum ferritin, and Mallory bodies in liver biopsies. Serum AFP levels decreased significantly during therapy with pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin. HCC was identified in six subjects, only three of whom had AFP>20 ng/mL.
Factors independently associated with raised serum AFP in patients with cirrhosis were female gender, black race, decreased platelet count, increased serum AST/ALT ratio, serum ferritin, and Mallory bodies in liver biopsies. Serum AFP levels decreased significantly during therapy with pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin. HCC was identified in six subjects, only three of whom had AFP>20 ng/mL.
As some with liver cancer and who takes an interest in understanding it I can tell you that AFP is NOT used for diagnosing HCC (liver cancer). AFP IS used in COMBINATION with imaging studies to diagnose HCC.
For persons withhepatitis C, first you must has cirrhosis to have an increased chance of HCC otherwise the odds of HCC are extremely low.
AFP is raised in many HCV patients. It does not indicate HCC for them.
25 is low. Numbers in the 100s and increasing over 500 are indicative of HCC.
If you are worried you need imaging done. This is special imaging and should ONLY be done at a transplant center. They do HCC screening on a daily basis. You need a tech who knows how to use the imaging equipment AND a doctor who knows how to read the results. Only people at transplant centers know how to do this. Any where else the conclusions are dubious.
I have got to run out now. If you have other questions about HCC PM me and I can tell you. I have been study it for almost a year know since I had the first of my 2 HCC tumors.
In my profile I have a chart of my AFP (I think) you can see when I had my tumors my AFP when up and up and then when both tumors were killed by chemo you see my AFP drop off.
Don't worry. It is probably just your HCV causing the rise. There is no rush either to see the doctor HCC is not a fast but a moderately growing cancer.
Ciao
Hector
For persons withhepatitis C, first you must has cirrhosis to have an increased chance of HCC otherwise the odds of HCC are extremely low.
AFP is raised in many HCV patients. It does not indicate HCC for them.
25 is low. Numbers in the 100s and increasing over 500 are indicative of HCC.
If you are worried you need imaging done. This is special imaging and should ONLY be done at a transplant center. They do HCC screening on a daily basis. You need a tech who knows how to use the imaging equipment AND a doctor who knows how to read the results. Only people at transplant centers know how to do this. Any where else the conclusions are dubious.
I have got to run out now. If you have other questions about HCC PM me and I can tell you. I have been study it for almost a year know since I had the first of my 2 HCC tumors.
In my profile I have a chart of my AFP (I think) you can see when I had my tumors my AFP when up and up and then when both tumors were killed by chemo you see my AFP drop off.
Don't worry. It is probably just your HCV causing the rise. There is no rush either to see the doctor HCC is not a fast but a moderately growing cancer.
Ciao
Hector
Hector your strength and friendliness with all you are going through never ceases to amaze me. You are an inspiration.
thank you Hector Fibrosis score-0.73, necroinfl score-0.49, A2MACROGLOBLIN 333, HAPTOGLOBIN-32, ALT(SGPT)-56 Westergren ESR-13, HCV BDNA QNT- 415085 IU/ML, HCV BDNA LOG- 5.62 LOG/ML
there's 16 pages of results and alot of high and critical values.
Thank you Hector have me scheduled for sonogram and respiratory therapy assessment
there's 16 pages of results and alot of high and critical values.
Thank you Hector have me scheduled for sonogram and respiratory therapy assessment
"Hector your strength and friendliness with all you are going through never ceases to amaze me. You are an inspiration. "
+1 :)
+1 :)
Ditto, hector, you are amazing. One of the generous people on this site; always helpful and on target.
Hi mollybaby,
So, if I'm reading all of your previous posts correctly, you are Hep C+, Genotype 3, f4-Cirrhosis, previously treated with Interferon and Ribavirin, have been treated/in the hospital for varices, ascites, iron overload, take lactulose, have high portal tension, and can't do further treatment for Hep C due to the condition of your liver/complications as well as difficult side effects of previous treatment. To my understanding, you have advanced Cirrhosis. I also see from your previous posts that you have been referred to a hepatologist in a transplant center to talk about transplant and your next appt. is May 14th. Did I summarize your situation correctly?
I will defer to others on the forum who probably know much more than I do, but I believe the term nodular liver can simply refer to the nodules that are formed when bridging fibrosis becomes cirrhosis, and you have already been diagnosis. Of course, that isn't a good thing (having advanced Cirrhosis), but try not to panic about cancer until you complete all of the imaging and see your hepatologist . The nodules that are described on your report may not have become cancer. I think that some nodules can be malignant, but many are not because all people with Cirrhosis are likely to have nodules, by definition.
It is great that you have been able to accomplish so much in the past few months as far as being able to stabilize some of your complications, get referred to a transplant center, and find a new hepatologist. It sounds like you have really researched your condition(s) and have advocated for yourself.
Kudos, and best wishes. Keep us posted as to the results of your imaging and your May 14th appt. at the transplant center.
Advocate1955
So, if I'm reading all of your previous posts correctly, you are Hep C+, Genotype 3, f4-Cirrhosis, previously treated with Interferon and Ribavirin, have been treated/in the hospital for varices, ascites, iron overload, take lactulose, have high portal tension, and can't do further treatment for Hep C due to the condition of your liver/complications as well as difficult side effects of previous treatment. To my understanding, you have advanced Cirrhosis. I also see from your previous posts that you have been referred to a hepatologist in a transplant center to talk about transplant and your next appt. is May 14th. Did I summarize your situation correctly?
I will defer to others on the forum who probably know much more than I do, but I believe the term nodular liver can simply refer to the nodules that are formed when bridging fibrosis becomes cirrhosis, and you have already been diagnosis. Of course, that isn't a good thing (having advanced Cirrhosis), but try not to panic about cancer until you complete all of the imaging and see your hepatologist . The nodules that are described on your report may not have become cancer. I think that some nodules can be malignant, but many are not because all people with Cirrhosis are likely to have nodules, by definition.
It is great that you have been able to accomplish so much in the past few months as far as being able to stabilize some of your complications, get referred to a transplant center, and find a new hepatologist. It sounds like you have really researched your condition(s) and have advocated for yourself.
Kudos, and best wishes. Keep us posted as to the results of your imaging and your May 14th appt. at the transplant center.
Advocate1955
thank you so much and yes I do my homework...LOL have to keep a light hearted attitude because stress overtaxes the body.Had sonogram today and respiratory assessment on the 7th and surgeon the 11th and finally Dr the 14th. The waiting is what is really hard but it seems Im getting faster testing now and results. This forum is the greatest thing I have run across since being diagnosed in 07. Its hard for me to remember alot of stuff so Im forever writing things down...I like to blame it on age and not condition as my ammonia levels are high right now. I do take lactulose. Other conditions I have may be affecting the HCV and liver and visa versa. Kinda like a war within a war. Thanks so much for caring!
"Kinda like a war within a war." these words just stick with me. Thank you for sharing. Some of us here don't have to fight as hard just to get through a day or night. I wish we could hold you in our collective hands and transfer the energy that would have you cartwheeling or something. I'm relieved there are experts here. I am your witness child. Don't know what else to be.
oh thank you and i could never do cartwheels...LOL! but I do try to get out in the yard to work the few veggies we are growing and try to mow but i just dont have the strength I used too but not for the lack of trying. One time I even had the scissors out sitting on the back step cutting grass it bothers me so I cant do this...all I got was blisters and very little grass cut but it consumed some time. thanks so much for the support it means so much. I look forward to this forum daily since I no longer drink but one cup of coffee a day its my morning cup!!
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