Also known as: AFP, Serum, Alpha1-Fetoprotein.

In men, nonpregnant women, and children, AFP in the blood may mean certain types of cancer, especially cancer of the testicles, stomach, ovaries, pancreas, or liver are present. High levels of AFP may also be found in Hodgkin's disease, brain tumors, lymphoma, and renal cell cancer. An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test will check the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance made in the liver of a fetus. The amount of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman can help to see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida and anencephaly. An AFP test can also be done as part of a screening test to find other chromosomal problems, such as Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) or Down syndrome (trisomy 21). An AFP test can also help find an omphalocele, a congenital problem in which some of the baby's intestines will stick out through the belly wall.