AFP, Serum, Tumor Marker

Understand what AFP, Serum, Tumor Marker signals

Primary unit: ng/mL
LOINC codes: 53962-7
Commercial laboratory assays: 4

An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the level of AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) in a sample of your blood. AFP is a protein that the liver makes when its cells are growing and dividing to make new cells.

Compare commercial laboratory assays for AFP, Serum, Tumor Marker

Check orderable catalog codes, specimen types, fasting requirements, and demographic reference ranges across laboratories.

Alpha-Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker

Laboratory: Quest Diagnostics
Test code: 237
Specimen: Serum
Fasting: Not stated
LOINC: 53962-7
Turnaround: Set up: Mon-Fri; Report available: 5 days

Laboratory assay overview

Elevation of serum AFP above values found in healthy individuals occurs in several malignant diseases, most notably nonseminomatous testicular cancer and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. AFP is not recommended as a screening procedure to detect cancer in the general population.

Quest Diagnostics population reference ranges

Quest Diagnostics calculates these statistical intervals for this specific assay and demographic group, not as universal optimal targets.

Population	Range
Provider context	Male (ng/mL) \| Female (ng/mL)
<1 Month*	0.5-16387.0 \| 0.5-18964.0
1-11 Months	0.5-28.3 \| 0.5-77.0
1-3 Years	0.5-7.9 \| 0.5-11.1
>3 Years	<6.1 \| <6.1

View complete laboratory reference notes

Male (ng/mL) Female (ng/mL) <1 Month* 0.5-16387.0 0.5-18964.0 1-11 Months 0.5-28.3 0.5-77.0 1-3 Years 0.5-7.9 0.5-11.1 >3 Years <6.1 <6.1 *Pediatric range is based on full term neonates, values for premature infants may be higher. The use of AFP as a tumor marker in pregnant females is not recommended.

Quest Diagnostics test directory, test code 237

Testicular Cancer Monitor Profile

Laboratory: Labcorp
Test code: 485151
Specimen: Serum
Fasting: Not stated
Turnaround: Within 1 day

Laboratory assay overview

Monitor the course of testicular cancer, patient response to treatment, and disease recurrence

Labcorp test directory, test code 485151

α-Fetoprotein (AFP), Tumor Marker

Laboratory: Labcorp
Test code: 002253
Specimen: Serum
Fasting: Not stated
LOINC: 53962-7
Turnaround: Within 1 day

Laboratory assay overview

The most important application of AFP testing in cancer management is for testicular cancer. Although not present in pure seminoma,1 elevated serum AFP is closely associated with nonseminomatous testicular cancer.2-4 The measurement of AFP in serum, in conjunction with serum hCG, is an established regimen for monitoring patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer.5-8 In addition, monitoring the rate of AFP clearance from serum after treatment is an indicator of the effectiveness of therapy.9,10 Conversely, the growth rate of progressive cancer can be monitored by serially measuring serum AFP concentration over time.11 Serial serum AFP testing is a useful adjunctive test for managing nonseminomatous testicular cancer.

View complete laboratory reference notes

See table. Age Male Female AFP, Serum (ng/mL) AFP, Serum (ng/mL) 0 to 7 d 0.0–75265.8 0.0–75265.8 8 to 30 d 0.0–32556.4 0.0–32556.4 1 m 0.0–1747.8 0.0–1600.3 2 m 0.0–391.1 0.0–550.0 3 m 0.0–225.8 0.0–339.9 4 m 0.0–230.6 0.0–230.6 5 m 0.0–118.0 0.0–234.0 6 m 0.0–97.2 0.0–97.2 7 to 11 m 0.0–60.3 0.0–60.3 1 y 0.0–21.4 0.0–21.4 2 y 0.0 –9.4 0.0–10.1 3 to 4 y 0.0–5.5 0.0–5.5 5 y 0.0–3.6 0.0–4.2 6 to 12 y 0.0–3.9 0.0–3.9 13 to 17 y 0.0–4.3 0.0–4.3 18 to 30 y 0.0–5.7 0.0–4.7 31 to 50 y 0.0–6.9 0.0–6.4 51 to 80 y 0.0–8.4 0.0–9.2 >80 y 0.0–6.4 0.0–8.7 Reference Interval developed by in-house study. Normal values apply only to males and to nonpregnant females. These results are not interpretable for pregnant females.

Labcorp test directory, test code 002253

α-Fetoprotein (AFP), Tumor Marker (Serial Monitor)

Laboratory: Labcorp
Test code: 480012
Specimen: Serum
Fasting: Not stated
Turnaround: 1 - 2 days

Labcorp test directory, test code 480012

Verify these ranges and sources

We compile every detail above directly from named laboratory directories and published clinical studies. Laboratories calculate standard reference intervals from the statistical distribution of tested populations for a specific assay method and demographic group, rather than setting universal optimal targets.

Always review your personal lab results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.

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