Elevated AFP?

[Pauley4]

My wife's Alphafeto protein is elevated. In October it was 21 ng/ml, and  last month, December, it was 24 ng/ml; so, it went up 3 ng/ml. She will take another test at the end of February.

Her liver panel was normal, and an Ultrasound was negative; however, a fribroscan was 17.3 kPa (taken in November), which puzzled the doctor (apparently, 17.5 kPa indicates cirrhosis).

My question is, why does the AFP get elevated like this? Could the AFP be picking up a microscopic tumor somewhere that does not show on the ultrasound?

Back in October, the doctor thought that HVB was causing the elevated AFP, considering her blood work indicated that she had HVB, and her body was successfully fighting it off. In December, the doctor did not say anything about the HBV.

Thank you.

[HectorSF]

AFP is used as one part of screening for liver cancer (HCC) in people with cirrhosis of the liver who are at a higher risk for developing liver cancer. It can also rise from other conditions and diseases.

Has your wife been tested or diagnosed with hepatitis C?

The AFP numbers are not very high. Inflammation can cause higher than normal AFP numbers. Many people with hepatitis C infection which causes the liver to have inflammation can cause higher than normal AFP levels.

HCC when it does emit AFP causes a rising AFP first in the tens and then the hundreds. Not a rise of 3 ng/ml which is only a very small change.

But as an ultrasound is not used to diagnose cirrhosis neither is AFP used to diagnose liver cancer (HCC). You should find a doctor who is knowledgeable and experienced in liver disease and liver cancer in case there is any chance of either condition. Both are serious life-threatening diseases and should not be taken lightly. Waiting for more tests results because the doctor can't figure out the problem is not in your best interest. if either condition is present is NEVER a good idea. Find a specialist ASAP.

An ultrasound can not detect cirrhosis unless it is advanced enough to see nodular growths. Only a liver biopsy or properly used fibroscan can detect cirrhosis. Neither can other blood level as many cirrhotic has normal blood levels. If she has cirrhosis she needs to be seen by a expert in liver disease. A hepatologist. Only they can properly manage cirrhosis. They are located at liver transplant centers.

If you wife's AFP level continues to rise and go above 100 it could be very dangerous. I don't want to scare you but cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer and if not treated soon and properly is potentially very serious.

Please get an appointment to see a hepatologist ASAP if you even think there is a chance that she has cirrhosis.

Good luck to the both of you!
Hector

[Dee1956]

So sorry I sent the wrong one, I will try to be more careful in the future

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/High-AFP/show/1342513

[Dee1956]

Hi I tried to search for elevated AFP, I found an older post that a doctor answered. I hope it helps.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Digestive-Disorders---Gastroenterology/GGT/show/423806