Info
AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
Diagnosis
What it means
A tumor marker useful especially for liver cancer and certain testicular or ovarian tumors. It is measured in the blood for diagnosis, monitoring treatment and detecting a recurrence.
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Liver cancer
- Cancer that starts in the cells of the liver, most commonly hepatocellular carcinoma. It often develops against the background of chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis B or C.
- ALK-positive
- A gene rearrangement found in a subset of lung cancers, more common in non-smoking or younger patients. ALK-positive tumors often respond very well to specific targeted therapies, different from standard chemotherapy.
- Atypical moles (the ABCDE rule)
- Moles that change shape, color or size and may indicate a melanoma. The ABCDE rule helps with self-checks: Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Color, Diameter over 6 mm, Evolution over time.
Other terms in “Diagnosis”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.