High AFP Tumor Marker

[McGirl555]

Hi All,

I just received my blood work and had the good news that I am 1a genotype with a viral load of 254 mil. My doctor is in the process of obtaining Harvoni from GIlead.

My AFP tumor marker is high at 252. Normal range is 0-8.3. Abdominal US was normal. No masses or tumors noted on liver. Doing a CT. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about this?

[flyinlynn]

Interesting about the surveillance testing.

I knew the AFP was an imperfect tool that is why it has been used in concert with abdominal ultrasound. At least that is the protocol my doctor is using APF and ultrasounds every 6 months.

Guess I need to read more on the subject

[SurfsideGal]

Normal AFP, depending on the laboratory runs between 6 and 9. Just being infected with HCV and having significant fibrosis can cause elevations such as Flyinglynn describes. Bbop,  I am sorry about your hubby's levels rising again. I think that your doctor cut out all the HCC he could see. The only real cure for HCC uis a liver trnsplant. For those who are not candidates, there are tretments besides surgery that can keep the disease in check for a number of years.

Darbara, your coment is close to true in people with a lot of liver damage. It does not hold true for all HCV patients. In fact, the test is so insensitive that the new guidelines do not recommend the AF) test in anyone any more. Imaging is much more valuable.

"For multiple reasons, AFP is no longer recommended as a routine surveillance test." http://www.hepatitisc.uw.edu/go/evaluation-staging-monitoring/surveillance-hepatocellular-carcinoma/core-concept/all

[flyinlynn]

Before I treated hep c successfully this year this was my test result for AFP

AFP, TUMOR MARKER 26.3 ng/mL 0.0 - 8.3 ng/mL

the 0.0 - 8.3 ng/mL is normal for the lab my doctor uses lab corp.

Other labs could be using a different scale.

I wish the best for you both

good luck
Lynn

[darbara]

If you have HepC your AFP will be elevated, thats norm.

[Bbop1946]

My husband (71 and with years of hc, hemachromatosis, and cirrosis) had liver cancer surgery a few months ago. They "got it all" were the surgeon's words. Now, two MRI's show a small spot in different area of liver. AFP numbers were at 8,000 last bloodwork. When diagnosed with liver carcinoma...his levels were 1,000. Now, Dr. suspects cancer, again, after five months away from surgery. More bloodwork done. Will know results in two days. In my mind, if normal is under 100, and I've read several conflicting numbers, but normals definitely are much lower than what we are hearing, I feel as though the doctor is just not wanting to say upfront...."We never got it al", and is trying to prepare us. We want truth so we can deal with it.  One thing I have learned in this journey....patience is needed. Nothing gets done fast.  But, still Keeping the faith in Ohio.

[McGirl555]

Kim, good answer. I think this chronic, unrelenting disease has us all on the mat. We can roll along quite well for a very long time. However, when it starts to go downhill, it can go very quickly. The fear kicks in, the anxiety, depression... just plain illness.Thankfully, there are some new drugs! I remain very hopeful for all of us!

All the best.

[McGirl555]

Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. We shall see!

[McGirl555]

Thank you.

[Livelife777]

That's fabulous news McGirl.  Thanks for the feedback as others will likely go thru the same scenario panic stricken.  Great to hear just a glitch without any substance or basis.
My best starting Tx
.....Kim

[McGirl555]

Thanks Deb! You do the same, my friend.

[Ekkiemom]

Hi McG sending u a boatload of good vibes from Ca on ur upcoming Tx.  As was told to me drink lots of water it really does help so much.  Stay strong keep the Faith and as always we are all here for you :-)
Peace
Deb

[McGirl555]

Hi All,

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday.

I just wanted to come back and let you know that I had a US and abdominal CT with contrast. No tumors. No cirrhosis. Kidneys, etc., normal. Since I've had this for 35 years, I'm totally surprised my liver is not in worse shape. Seriously. Being a wine drinker for many years couldn't have helped.

So, just as you all indicated, don't freak out with a high AFP!  

I'm genotype 1a and I've been approved for 8 weeks of Harvoni. She wrote 12 weeks before the CT. I thought it was just 12 or 24 weeks. I won't see the doctor until Tuesday.

Thanks again for your reassurance. Just going from here and hope to come back and tell you I've reached SVR.

[McGirl555]

Thank you so much! Everyone. Going on vacation next week. Will do the CT when I come back. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy the moments.

[AugustineMama]

It was 16-28 at first, then it went over 300. Now it is normal

[Livelife777]

Should the AFP marker hit above 1,000-2,000 that is the marker where liver cancer is suggested.  This was my info from my attending Hepa at Mayo Clinic.  Seems as tho it is not uncommon for inflammation to cause an uptake.  It's good tho that you are staying on top of things as Hep C can really create some havoc.
Best wishes
.....Kim

[Paintgeer]

I have a count on aft of 50....one doc told me it could be the liver rejeuvenating itself...I also had ultrasound and biopsy  Praise God  no tumor thanks for info on inflammation reasoning...

[McGirl555]

You've reached SVR! That's great. I love seeing people report that all of these crazy high levels go down after successful treatment.

Thank you for responding to my question. I really needed to hear that. And, thanks for the good wishes with tx. Don't know if they will treat if the MRI shows cancer, but I will stay positive and hope for the best!

[bassetgirl]

Last spring before treatment my AFP was at 340 - now that I've ended  treatment with Sovaldi/Olysio and reached SVR, my 12 weeks after end of treatment AFP is almost in the normal range.  My hepatologist told me she sees alot of high AFPs caused by liver inflammation, with no malignancy. Good luck as you began treatment!

[McGirl555]

Thank you both. Augustine, that is great news and I'm sending positive vibes your way. If you don't mind, how high was your AFP? Penn, I really don't know regarding the VL. Once I got the AFP, my mind kind of shut down. The girl who was giving me the info. is "new at this" and I'm not sure if she even knew. I won't know until I see it.

From all the searching I've done, 500 or over is most likely cancer. Under can be other things. I'm just wondering if others have had an AFP this high and had no cancer. Or, is chronic hep C alone enough to raise the levels this high. I've had two US in two years, one about a week ago. Both normal.

(hugs)
Keeping the faith.

[AugustineMama]

My AFP has been elevated for greater than 10 years. I have had six-month MRIs as I have a family history of GI cancers and a personal history of Cancer. You will be pleased to know after my tx the first thing that happened is the AFP went to normal for the first time in years. I am not yet 12 weeks EOT, but I am hopeful. The docs tell me it is from inflammation going on in the liver, per Mayo hepatologists. Keep the faith.

[penn1023]

I'm sure someone will answer this. Are you sure it is 254 million or 2.54 million for VL.