Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 2-3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early cancer detection - identify elevated AFP linked to liver or germ cell tumors before symptoms worsen
- Monitor treatment response - track AFP trends to see if therapy is working or cancer is recurring
- No fasting needed - convenient walk-in testing with quick, confidential results
- Proactive liver health - assess cancer risk if you have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
- Actionable insights - leverage tumor marker data to guide next steps with your healthcare provider
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals with chronic liver disease (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis) at higher risk for liver cancer
- Patients diagnosed with liver, testicular, or ovarian cancer who need surveillance or treatment monitoring
- Anyone experiencing unexplained weight loss, jaundice, abdominal pain, or swelling
- Those with a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma seeking proactive screening
- Men with testicular lumps or discomfort; women with irregular menstrual bleeding or pelvic masses
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online or walk in - schedule your AFP test at a convenient lab location near you.
- Quick blood draw - a phlebotomist collects a small serum sample; takes only minutes, no fasting required.
- Receive confidential results - get your AFP report in 2–3 business days.
FAQ
What is alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)? AFP is a glycoprotein produced by the fetal liver during pregnancy. In adults, elevated AFP often signals liver cancer or germ cell tumors (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Do I need to fast before the test? No fasting is required. Inform your provider if you're pregnant, as AFP rises naturally during pregnancy (Cleveland Clinic 2025).
What do elevated AFP levels mean? Levels above 8.4 ng/mL in non-pregnant adults may indicate liver cancer, testicular/ovarian germ cell tumors, or benign liver disease (MedlinePlus 2021).
Can AFP be high without cancer? Yes. Chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver injury can raise AFP; clinical correlation and imaging are essential (Mayo Clinic 2024).
How often should I test AFP? Frequency depends on your risk and clinical scenario—those with cirrhosis or active cancer may test every 3–6 months (AASLD 2023)
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Serum Test measures AFP concentration in your blood to help detect, diagnose, and monitor liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and germ cell tumors of the testes or ovaries. AFP is a tumor marker—elevated levels correlate with tumor presence and size. This test is also used to assess treatment response, detect recurrence after therapy, and monitor individuals with chronic liver conditions at risk for cancer. Approximately 70% of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and 50–70% of those with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors show elevated AFP, making it a valuable diagnostic and surveillance tool (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit from AFP testing if you have chronic liver disease (hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), a personal or family history of liver cancer, or risk factors such as alcohol abuse or fatty liver disease. This test is also essential for patients diagnosed with liver, testicular, or ovarian cancer who require ongoing monitoring. If you experience symptoms like unexplained weight loss, jaundice, persistent abdominal pain, swelling, fatigue, testicular lumps, or irregular menstrual bleeding, AFP testing can provide critical insights. Because liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer globally and the third leading cause of cancer death, proactive surveillance with AFP is crucial for at-risk populations (AASLD 2023).
When should I order an Alpha-Fetoprotein Serum Test?
Order this test if you're undergoing cancer surveillance, especially for hepatocellular carcinoma or germ cell tumors. It's recommended for individuals with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis as part of regular monitoring every 6 months. You should also test if you notice new or worsening symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal distension, unexplained weight loss, persistent nausea, lower back or pelvic pain, or testicular/ovarian masses. If you've completed cancer treatment, periodic AFP testing helps detect recurrence early. Rising AFP trends over time are more clinically significant than a single elevated value (Cleveland Clinic 2025).
How do I interpret the results?
AFP levels are measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Normal adult values are typically below 8.4 ng/mL. Interpretation depends on your clinical context, symptoms, and imaging findings. Always review results with your healthcare provider.
AFP Level: < 8.4 ng/mL
- What it means: Normal range for non-pregnant adults
- Typical action: No immediate concern; routine follow-up if at risk
AFP Level: 8.4–20 ng/mL
- What it means: Mildly elevated; may indicate benign liver disease
- Typical action: Repeat testing; correlate with liver function tests and imaging
AFP Level: 20–200 ng/mL
- What it means: Moderately elevated; possible chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or small tumor
- Typical action: Imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI); evaluate for liver cancer
AFP Level: > 200 ng/mL
- What it means: Significantly elevated; highly suggestive of hepatocellular carcinoma or germ cell tumor
- Typical action: Urgent oncology referral; advanced imaging; biopsy if indicated
AFP levels can also rise during pregnancy or in benign conditions like hepatitis, so clinical context is essential for accurate interpretation (MedlinePlus 2021).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required for the AFP test. Inform your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, as AFP naturally rises during pregnancy and is not a cancer indicator in that context. Avoid testing immediately after acute liver injury or inflammation, as transient elevations can occur. If you've recently undergone liver biopsy or trauma, wait a few weeks before testing to avoid falsely elevated results. Bring a list of medications and any history of liver disease or cancer to your appointment for accurate interpretation.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment status. Below are general guidelines:
High-risk liver disease (cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or C)
- Suggested interval: Every 6 months
Active liver or germ cell cancer treatment
- Suggested interval: Every 3 months or per oncologist's protocol
Post-cancer remission surveillance
- Suggested interval: Every 3–6 months for first 2 years; then annually
General screening (no risk factors)
- Suggested interval: Not routinely recommended; discuss with provider
Your healthcare provider may adjust this schedule based on your individual risk profile and clinical findings (AASLD 2023).
Why early detection matters
Liver cancer is aggressive and often diagnosed late, when treatment options are limited. Early detection via AFP monitoring, especially in high-risk patients with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, can identify tumors when they're smaller and more treatable. Studies show that regular AFP surveillance combined with imaging improves survival rates and enables curative interventions like resection or transplant. For germ cell tumors, AFP helps distinguish tumor types and monitor treatment response, directly influencing prognosis. Detecting recurrence early through rising AFP levels allows timely intervention, improving long-term outcomes. With liver cancer being the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide, proactive AFP testing is a critical component of preventive and survivorship care (Cleveland Clinic 2025).
Related tests you may consider
Hepatic Function (Liver) Panel Blood Test - assesses overall liver health, enzyme levels, and function alongside AFP.
Hepatitis Blood Test Panel, Acute - Detects and diagnose acute liver infection and inflammation that is due to one of the three most common hepatitis viruses: hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets Blood Test - Evaluates blood cell types and levels to help diagnose health conditions and track treatment response.
