Try adjusting your type
14th October, 2009
European Survey on Standards of Care in paediatric oncology centres. J. R. Kowalczyk, M. Samardakiewicz, K. Pritchard-Jones, R. Ladenstein, S. Essiaf, E. Fitzgerald, G. Petrarulo, G. Vassal - EJC , Volume 61, pp 11-19
8th December, 2014
The purpose of this website is to provide good and clear information about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and to refer to the various late-effects outpatient clinics (LATER outpatient clinics) that exist in the Netherlands.
8th September, 2015
Cancer in young people is rare, but it is still a major health issue in Europe. Each year, more than 6,000 young people in Europe die of cancer. There are more than 300,000 European childhood cancer survivors (in 2020, they will be nearly half a million): two-thirds of them have some late side effects of treatment, that are severe and impact on the daily life of half of those affected.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a specific protein produced primarily in the fetus’s liver and is present in both the amniotic fluid and mother’s blood. Post-birth, its production usually stops, with high levels in adults often associated with liver diseases, germ cell tumors, or an indication of certain cancers. AFP, hence, serves as a bio-marker in medical diagnostic procedures.
Health and medicine, though vast, are astonishingly intertwined. As we delve into the complexity of the human body, one element stands out for its critical role – proteins. A particularly noteworthy one is Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), an often-underestimated protein with significant implications.
Alpha-fetoprotein serves as a biomarker in several health conditions and is especially crucial in disease diagnosis and pregnancy screening. Understanding AFP could be the key to unlock significant medical advancements. This article takes you on a journey through the intricate world of Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP).
Before discussing AFP, it’s essential to understand what proteins are. Formally, proteins are large, complex molecules required for the structure, function, and regulation of your body’s tissues and organs. They are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, linked in long chains.
Proteins are much more than the building blocks of our bodies. They facilitate chemical reactions, carry signals between cells, and fight against diseases. Every protein in your body has a unique role that allows your body to function properly.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a particular type of protein produced in the liver of a developing fetus. During pregnancy, AFP levels can also be detected in the mother’s blood.
AFP production begins early in fetal development and plays a crucial role in forming the fetus’s organs. After birth, the AFP levels in babies decrease rapidly and remain low throughout life, except in specific medical conditions.
AFP serves a dual function. Firstly, during fetal development, it protects the fetus from the mother’s immune system. This protection extends to the development of the fetus’s brain, heart, and other organs.
Secondly, AFP levels can serve as a diagnostic tool. Abnormal AFP levels can indicate certain health conditions, such as liver diseases, certain cancers, and neural tube defects in unborn babies. Thus, AFP testing forms an integral part of prenatal screening and cancer diagnosis.
An AFP test is a blood test where a small blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm. This sample is then analyzed in a lab to determine your AFP level. This test is essential in the detection of various diseases, especially liver cancer.
AFP tumor markers testing is an invaluable tool in the early detection of specific cancers. AFP is produced in large amounts in liver cancer cells. Therefore, an elevated AFP could be suggestive of liver cancer, requiring further examination.
AFP test results usually come in the form of a numerical value indicating the amount of AFP in your blood. Normal levels in adults are typically less than 10 ng/mL. However, normal values may differ between labs.
In certain situations, higher AFP levels may be detected, indicating potential health conditions. These could range from liver diseases and certain cancers to neural tube defects in unborn babies.
AFP screening during pregnancy plays a significant role in prenatal care. It assists in the detection of potential birth defects, chromosomal anomalies, and other conditions in the fetus.
Abnormal AFP results can be alarming for expecting parents. However, it’s crucial to understand that abnormal levels do not necessarily indicate a problem. More precise diagnostic tests would be needed to confirm any disorders or diseases.
High AFP levels are linked to several diseases. These include liver diseases, like cirrhosis and hepatitis, as well as cancers, such as liver cancer and germ cell tumors.
In dealing with high AFP levels, the treatment usually targets the underlying condition rather than the elevated AFP per se. The course of treatment will depend on the diagnosed condition and the patient’s overall health.
AFP, though complex, holds great importance in health and medicine, serving vital roles in fetal development and disease diagnosis. There is still much to uncover about AFP, and continued research promises exciting medical advances.
Here are some FAQs to help further your understanding:
This mostly depends on your medical history and current health condition. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate frequency for AFP testing.
Conditions linked to high AFP levels include certain cancers, and liver diseases, and in pregnant women, it may indicate potential birth defects in the fetus.
AFP screening is generally a part of routine prenatal care. However, whether to undergo this screening is ultimately the decision of the expectant parents, guided by the advice of their healthcare provider.
In healthy adults, AFP levels are typically less than 10 ng/mL. This can vary slightly between labs.
Doctors would recommend an AFP test if they suspect certain cancers or liver diseases. It’s also used in prenatal screening for genetic disorders and birth defects.
Share it
You might also like
The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life’s Hurdles
Everyone needs resilience, and now two expert psychologists share seven proven techniques for enhancing our capacity to weather even the cruelest setbacks.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
In April 2015, Archbishop Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama's home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness's eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. They looked back on their long lives to answer a single burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life's inevitable suffering?
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson
Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.
At its heart, Paulo Coelho's masterpiece unfolds the mystical journey of Santiago, an unassuming Andalusian shepherd boy whose heart brims with a longing for adventure and the pursuit of a treasure that exists far beyond the confines of the material world.
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
In A New Earth, Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world.
Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself
New York Times bestseller and beloved guide, revised and updated with up-to-the minute scientific and spiritual insight, teaches readers how to listen to their bodies and assess all areas of their lives--relational, psychological, creative, environmental, professional--to understand what they need for health.
Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
World-renowned Zen master, esteemed peace activist, spiritual luminary, and prolific author Thich Nhat Hanh offers a profound guide on how to extract serenity from even the most seemingly vexing circumstances.
