Does alpha-fetoprotein 2000 mean advanced liver cancer? 4 situations may cause high alpha-fetoprotein

Alpha-fetoprotein is a substance in our body that can reflect our physical condition. Generally speaking, if the alpha-fetoprotein value is too high, we need to do further examination. And alpha-fetoprotein is also a prerequisite for liver cancer, so we need to pay attention to it. Is alpha-fetoprotein 2000 late?

Does AFP 2000 mean cancer?

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker. It is a glycoprotein that is mainly synthesized in the fetal liver. Under normal circumstances, the content of AFP in normal human serum is less than 20μg/L. AFP is currently the best serum marker for diagnosing early liver cancer. AFP will increase in about 80% of primary liver cancer patients. And it will increase 6-12 months before the onset of symptoms. It can be used as a basis for screening and diagnosis of liver cancer, evaluation of therapeutic effects, and reflection of disease changes.

Common diseases with high alpha-fetoprotein

1. Other malignant tumors

In addition to primary liver cancer, approximately 50% of patients with germinal tumors will also experience elevated AFP levels. Elevated AFP levels may also occur in a few other cases such as gastric cancer, intestinal cancer, or lung cancer.

2. Non-malignant diseases

(1) Viral hepatitis. AFP levels may also be elevated in adult patients with viral hepatitis, especially those in the active stage of chronic hepatitis. Generally, it will decrease or return to normal after treatment.

(2) Cirrhosis. A small number of patients with cirrhosis may also experience elevated AFP. The synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein can reflect the degree of liver cell damage and pathological activity: the increase is mainly due to the fact that when damaged liver cells regenerate and become immature, the liver cells regain the ability to produce AFP. As the damaged liver cells are repaired, AFP gradually returns to normal.

(3) Neonatal hepatitis. AFP can be detected in 30% of neonates with hepatitis. The incidence rate increases with the severity of the disease, and most cases are significantly higher.

(4) Others. AFP levels may also rise in cases of liver damage, congestive hepatomegaly, ataxia, congenital bile duct obstruction, and fetal malformation. The increase is usually small and does not last long.

3. Pregnant women

Generally, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) may increase significantly after 3 months of pregnancy, and the amount of AFP in the maternal blood reaches its peak and becomes relatively stable in 7-8 months of pregnancy. AFP will gradually decrease and return to normal about 3 weeks after delivery.

4. Newborns

Newborns may also experience a temporary increase in alpha-fetoprotein, because alpha-fetoprotein is a normal plasma protein component of the fetus and the main protein in the early embryo. Alpha-fetoprotein disappears from the blood about two weeks after the fetus is born.

From the above, we can see that elevated AFP does not necessarily mean liver cancer. There is no need to get anxious just because AFP is slightly elevated in one test. However, we cannot just ignore it. We need to cooperate with some other tests to confirm whether we have liver cancer.