AFP Tumor Marker Results In

[settecasi1]

I have not posted in a while so I'll summarize. New territory has me asking here.

Geno Type 2
24 and 48 week terms failed. I am now on mono therapy, half dosage and no Ribavirin. I am currently less than 10 as was in the previous terms but it will not hold without TX.

OK, now my enzymes are AST=95 ALT=146.
Doc says fatty liver and orders Ultrasound.
Ultrasound results in a Tumor marker blood lab and a Liver MRI.

Blood labs are back and I am a 7 ng/mL. The range is 1 - 6. So it's just a touch over. No word back on the MRI yet.

What do you guys know about the marker results?    

[Bill1954]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to check back in. So glad you got good news; that rocks.

Take care--

Bill

[settecasi1]

The MRI shown it was just fatty deposits. According to them thiss and the AFP reading of 7 are really good news.

Thanks, All  

[harrypotter1]

Yes, I don't think low AFP scores like yours are much to worry about, but do go in for periodic testing/ultrasounds if necessary.  My lab says that up to 15ng is acceptable; my AFP ranges from 11 to 22, usually they stay around 15 or 16ng but fluctuate slightly with no rhyme or reason (my dr. thinks it's partially related to my gallstones).

[settecasi1]

Thanks guys. Fingers crossed on the image results too.

[copyman]

Like Bill said AFP results are usually in the 100's if cancer is present. If AFP is very high then it is a very good marker for cancer, especially the liver.
I would say you have nothing to worry about with that low #. Best of luck

[settecasi1]

Thanks, I await the MRI report. I only got the blood report because I have my local PCP Dr.'s office in the habit of faxing it to the Gastro and me.

I'll report.

Yes the last time I visited here was when my appendix was raising hell after just starting neupo injections. It was just the appendix going out, nothing to do with TX.  

[jdwithhcv]

I can't tell you about AFP, but tumor markers such as CEA are not useful to diagnose new cancers, but rather are used to flag new tumor activity in a patient who is in remission.  I would not be surprised if HCV caused a mild elevation in the level

Good luck,
jd.

[Bill1954]

Hey there, I haven’t seen your name in here for quite a while now.

My rather limited understanding of AFP is that you’re fine. I was told by my GI doc once that if it’s like 500, I have some cancer going on. I do believe that viral hepatitis can cause it to elevate slightly; I wouldn’t worry about it at this point.

Best to you,

Bill