AFP Test

AFP is used to help detect and diagnose cancers of the liver, testes, and ovaries. It is often ordered to monitor people with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B because they have an increased lifetime risk of developing liver cancer. A doctor may order an AFP test to try to detect liver cancer when it is in its earliest, and most treatable, stages.

Increased AFP levels may indicate the presence of cancer, most commonly liver cancer, cancer of the ovary, and germ cell tumor of the testes. Elevated levels may also sometimes be seen with other cancers such as stomach, colon, lung, breast, and lymphoma. Other diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis can also cause increased levels.