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AFP level
I was infected with Hep C approx. 1 yr ago & my recent blood test shows an elevated AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) level of 20. My doctor indicated that the level may be raised due to the Hep C, or could be an indication of liver cancer (yike!). I had an abdominal scan & am awaiting the results. Anyone else have this problem? Oh, I'm male (hence the screen name) so my AFP isn't a result of my being pregnant!
The AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) is a marker for liver cancer, but it is not always accurate. It can be elevated without any obvious disease, or it can be normal even with a documented tumor. What are your other liver tests like?
You have had the best test for the presence of a liver cancer: a CT scan of the abdomen (it should have been with and without contrast for optimal results). A liver cancer has a very specific picture on such a scan, and experts can usually diagnosis it from that alone.
If you have a borderline normal AFP (which you do)and a normal scan, they might want you to have regular scans (6 months or so)to catch any abnormalities early. Having had HepC for only one year doesn't sound like a likely scenario for liver cancer. Generally it develops after years of liver disease that has progessed to cirrhosis. But it is good to have a "baseline" scan to compare to in the future.
Mark
You have had the best test for the presence of a liver cancer: a CT scan of the abdomen (it should have been with and without contrast for optimal results). A liver cancer has a very specific picture on such a scan, and experts can usually diagnosis it from that alone.
If you have a borderline normal AFP (which you do)and a normal scan, they might want you to have regular scans (6 months or so)to catch any abnormalities early. Having had HepC for only one year doesn't sound like a likely scenario for liver cancer. Generally it develops after years of liver disease that has progessed to cirrhosis. But it is good to have a "baseline" scan to compare to in the future.
Mark
One of the reaSons we do the treatment for HepC is because it greatly lowers our chance of getting liver cancer even if we are not cured of the hep.
It's some scary disease. I know someone who is dying of it right now and it's not pretty - it's CRUCIAL we stay on top of these things even though it would be easier to just bury our head in the sand if you nkow what I mean.
It's a great Pro to take Interferon though and one of the reasons I decided to do the tx in the first place.
It's some scary disease. I know someone who is dying of it right now and it's not pretty - it's CRUCIAL we stay on top of these things even though it would be easier to just bury our head in the sand if you nkow what I mean.
It's a great Pro to take Interferon though and one of the reasons I decided to do the tx in the first place.
In a person with Hep C, an elevated AFP can be an indicator of increased inflammatory activity within the liver. A reading 500 or above is generally considered indicative of liver cancer (though AFP is a marker for other cancers besides the liver: testicular, ovarian, metastatic within the liver).
On a personal note, my AFP was tracking normal (<8) for years until I got a reading of 11. I retested and it came back in the same range. Tested again over the next 6 months and it eventually rose as high as 20. I got tested for the cancer possibilities (sans ovarian) with the results coming back negative, thank God. Doc felt it was most likely an indicator of increasing hepatic inflammation. I decided to re-treat (had failed mono tx prior) and the AFP normalized right away and has remained so ever since (2 years post tx - will get the results of my latest testing in another week).
Over three years ago I had a question similar to yours and "mikesimon" was kind enough to supply me with this very helpful <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/alpha-fetoprotein_blood_test/article.htm">link</a> with info on AFP. You and your doc are doing the right thing by checking all the avenues. Be sure to discuss with him/her the possibility that the rise in AFP may be related to histology (i.e. - the status of the health of your liver re: level of damage).
TnHepGuy
On a personal note, my AFP was tracking normal (<8) for years until I got a reading of 11. I retested and it came back in the same range. Tested again over the next 6 months and it eventually rose as high as 20. I got tested for the cancer possibilities (sans ovarian) with the results coming back negative, thank God. Doc felt it was most likely an indicator of increasing hepatic inflammation. I decided to re-treat (had failed mono tx prior) and the AFP normalized right away and has remained so ever since (2 years post tx - will get the results of my latest testing in another week).
Over three years ago I had a question similar to yours and "mikesimon" was kind enough to supply me with this very helpful <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/alpha-fetoprotein_blood_test/article.htm">link</a> with info on AFP. You and your doc are doing the right thing by checking all the avenues. Be sure to discuss with him/her the possibility that the rise in AFP may be related to histology (i.e. - the status of the health of your liver re: level of damage).
TnHepGuy
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