Testing for Alpha-fetoprotein

Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) is measured in pregnant women through the analysis of maternal blood or amniotic fluid as a screening test for a subset of developmental abnormalities. It is often part of the quadruple, integrated, or sequential screen test that assesses whether further diagnostic testing may be needed.

In men, non-pregnant women and children, AFP in the blood can mean certain types of cancer, especially cancer of the testicles, ovaries, stomach, pancreas or liver are present. High levels of AFP may also be found in Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, brain tumors and renal cancer.

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