Aa
Elevated AFP marker
Hi everyone. It has been a long time since I posted but I have followed the forum for years. My background-
GT 1a
Last biopsy stage 3
Q80K Positive
Tx 2006 SOC failure
Tx 2011 Gilead trail 9541 Protease, 5885 Ledipasvir, Inf/Rib. failure
I just got a call from GI that my AFP test is 601. I get this test 1x per year. It has always been elevated around 200.
I get an ultrasound done every 6 months, just had one in December, all have been negative or "unremarkable."
I am going in tonight for an MRI. Obviously concerned.
Has anyone had AFP this high and what was your outcome?
By the way, I just started Harvoni tx today.I was going to post so others could see my progress and hopefully SVR.
GT 1a
Last biopsy stage 3
Q80K Positive
Tx 2006 SOC failure
Tx 2011 Gilead trail 9541 Protease, 5885 Ledipasvir, Inf/Rib. failure
I just got a call from GI that my AFP test is 601. I get this test 1x per year. It has always been elevated around 200.
I get an ultrasound done every 6 months, just had one in December, all have been negative or "unremarkable."
I am going in tonight for an MRI. Obviously concerned.
Has anyone had AFP this high and what was your outcome?
By the way, I just started Harvoni tx today.I was going to post so others could see my progress and hopefully SVR.
Thanks all for the input. I had another AFP test done yesterday. My Dr. wants to look into this further. We are going regroup and talk first of the week. He said he had the best radiologist read the MRI and found nothing and actually said the liver looked good. My last biopsy was 3 years ago and was stage 2+ to 3. I'm thinking I'm gaining on 4 but don't really know yet. I am on day 3 of Harvoni so hoping for good news in 4 weeks.
jules- yet I do exercise a lot. I'm sort of a fitness nut. I plan to take it light during this tx.
I will keep you posted and thanks again for the help.
jules- yet I do exercise a lot. I'm sort of a fitness nut. I plan to take it light during this tx.
I will keep you posted and thanks again for the help.
MedHelp moved post to Liver Disorders. It's after midnight, my brain logic misfired.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Liver-Disorders/Meld--Milan--AFP-affects-for-HCC-on-liver-transplant-liver-waiting-list/show/2519501
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Liver-Disorders/Meld--Milan--AFP-affects-for-HCC-on-liver-transplant-liver-waiting-list/show/2519501
wrong copy and paste
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Meld--Milan--AFP-affects-for-HCC-on-liver-transplant-liver-waiting-list/show/2519501
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Meld--Milan--AFP-affects-for-HCC-on-liver-transplant-liver-waiting-list/show/2519501
I'm guessing AFP wouldn't affect MELD score. But will affect other criteria for HCC waiting on a liver transport list.
Rather than a lengthy reply here I posted a new topic Qestion
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Hepatitis-C/show/75
Rather than a lengthy reply here I posted a new topic Qestion
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Hepatitis-C/show/75
Cancer is a very devious disease and all of us should be aware of the risks.
Sometimes with metastasis it can even be difficult to find the primary cause.
Nowhine you need to delve further as Howie has suggested as if caught in the early stages it can be treatable and curable. This is not intended to worry you as it may be OK, but you need to be proactive in regards to your health and concerns.
Personally I'm a 2X Cancer survivor and am doing fine as it was diagnosed both times at Stage 1. The positive side of this remains that with Cancer of the liver, a transplant is available. This opportunity is non existent with most types of cancer.
Let's all hope that after further testing there is nothing to worry about. As Howie has said, a further investigation is in order so that you know the facts.
Please know we are all here for you.
My best
......Kim
Sometimes with metastasis it can even be difficult to find the primary cause.
Nowhine you need to delve further as Howie has suggested as if caught in the early stages it can be treatable and curable. This is not intended to worry you as it may be OK, but you need to be proactive in regards to your health and concerns.
Personally I'm a 2X Cancer survivor and am doing fine as it was diagnosed both times at Stage 1. The positive side of this remains that with Cancer of the liver, a transplant is available. This opportunity is non existent with most types of cancer.
Let's all hope that after further testing there is nothing to worry about. As Howie has said, a further investigation is in order so that you know the facts.
Please know we are all here for you.
My best
......Kim
On my last lab 12-2014
ALPHA-1-FETOPROTEIN 3.8 ng/ml reference range 0-8.7
Many years ago I was in the 3.5 to 5 range. In the 2 years prior to tx 5 to 8.1 range. Don't remember exactly but there was a study years ago that suggested that AFP over 4.? (still in ref range) might indicate a lower chance of SVR with the old Inf/Rbv tx
ALPHA-1-FETOPROTEIN 3.8 ng/ml reference range 0-8.7
Many years ago I was in the 3.5 to 5 range. In the 2 years prior to tx 5 to 8.1 range. Don't remember exactly but there was a study years ago that suggested that AFP over 4.? (still in ref range) might indicate a lower chance of SVR with the old Inf/Rbv tx
I know it doesn't put you on the list. But I am wondering if you are on the list and your AFP goes up, but HCC is not yet diagnosed, do you get points for the high AFP?
Agree with Hector. My AFP is high high and has stayed that way, over 100. My docs at Mayo insist MRI every 6 months as I am cirrhotic. It does not put you on transplant list unless you have HCC then you immediately get a MELD score of 22 and get listed.
Does a markedly elevated AFP put one higher on the transplant list even if HCC cannot yet be diagnosed?
Hector, are the AFP normally listed in one's medical records? Though I can access, compare and evaluate all of my blood test results,I don't recall ever seeing the AFP listed - unless there is some shorthand or acronym that is preventing me from seeing it
I usually just get a - looks fine - kind of answer from my doctor
But it seems like this is something that all of us - especially cirrhotics should be paying close attention to
I usually just get a - looks fine - kind of answer from my doctor
But it seems like this is something that all of us - especially cirrhotics should be paying close attention to
Hi.
I feel like I am obliged to comment based on what you have posted and my own personal experience with HCC, AFP, scans, etc. and my experience as a peer consular at my cancer center for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
With such a very high AFP level your doctor needs to refer you to the nearest liver transplant center where they have experts in the diagnosis of HCC for further follow up and evaluation. When it comes to a possible cancer diagnosis it is not something any of us wants to be unsure of. None of us wants a diagnosis of cancer but early diagnosis and proper treatment is critical. This is especially true for liver cancer.
While AFP should not be relied upon alone, very high levels of AFP are predictive of the development of HCC even if the lesion(s) can't currently be seen. Future close monitoring (MRI or CT with contrast every 3 months) should be done in anyone with such a high level. Especially those with hepatitis C infection with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis (F3-F4) who are at a higher than normal risk of developing HCC.
With early detection and treatment HCC is treatable.
From the Mayo Clinic website
"Total serum AFP >200 ng/mL is highly suggestive of a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients with liver disease, a total serum AFP of >200 ng/mL is near 100% predictive of hepatocellular carcinoma. With decreasing total AFP levels, there is an increased likelihood that chronic liver disease, rather than hepatocellular carcinoma, is responsible for the AFP elevation. "
From John Hopkins website
"Normally, levels of AFP are below 10 ng/ ml, but marginal elevations (10–100) are common in patients with chronic hepatitis. However, all patients with elevated AFP should be screened (abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI) for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially if there has been an increase from baseline levels. In our experience, a steadily rising AFP is almost diagnostic of hepatocellular carcinoma. The specificity of AFP is very high when the levels are above 400 ng/ml."
There is another blood test called AFP-L3. The AFP-L3 test can distinguish between malignancy and other causes of higher than normal AFP levels. At at the very minimum your doctor should test you for this marker. This test is only commonly used by specialists such as hepatologists and others who work with patients with advanced liver disease such at liver transplant centers.
Please have your doctor refer you to specialist to have them review your blood and scan results. As early detection is key to the best outcome.
Take care.
Hector
I feel like I am obliged to comment based on what you have posted and my own personal experience with HCC, AFP, scans, etc. and my experience as a peer consular at my cancer center for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
With such a very high AFP level your doctor needs to refer you to the nearest liver transplant center where they have experts in the diagnosis of HCC for further follow up and evaluation. When it comes to a possible cancer diagnosis it is not something any of us wants to be unsure of. None of us wants a diagnosis of cancer but early diagnosis and proper treatment is critical. This is especially true for liver cancer.
While AFP should not be relied upon alone, very high levels of AFP are predictive of the development of HCC even if the lesion(s) can't currently be seen. Future close monitoring (MRI or CT with contrast every 3 months) should be done in anyone with such a high level. Especially those with hepatitis C infection with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis (F3-F4) who are at a higher than normal risk of developing HCC.
With early detection and treatment HCC is treatable.
From the Mayo Clinic website
"Total serum AFP >200 ng/mL is highly suggestive of a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients with liver disease, a total serum AFP of >200 ng/mL is near 100% predictive of hepatocellular carcinoma. With decreasing total AFP levels, there is an increased likelihood that chronic liver disease, rather than hepatocellular carcinoma, is responsible for the AFP elevation. "
From John Hopkins website
"Normally, levels of AFP are below 10 ng/ ml, but marginal elevations (10–100) are common in patients with chronic hepatitis. However, all patients with elevated AFP should be screened (abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI) for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially if there has been an increase from baseline levels. In our experience, a steadily rising AFP is almost diagnostic of hepatocellular carcinoma. The specificity of AFP is very high when the levels are above 400 ng/ml."
There is another blood test called AFP-L3. The AFP-L3 test can distinguish between malignancy and other causes of higher than normal AFP levels. At at the very minimum your doctor should test you for this marker. This test is only commonly used by specialists such as hepatologists and others who work with patients with advanced liver disease such at liver transplant centers.
Please have your doctor refer you to specialist to have them review your blood and scan results. As early detection is key to the best outcome.
Take care.
Hector
What wonderful news! Now you can relax and enjoy the weekend. I am happy for you.
Ok so good news- nothing to note from the MRI all clear. Dr. wants to do another APF test for some reason. Everyone if you can be sure to get an ultrasound every 6 months. We de have increased risk of HCC with HCV especially with advanced fibrosis. Better to catch things early.
So now I shall continue the Harvoni tx. Best to all. Thanks.
So now I shall continue the Harvoni tx. Best to all. Thanks.
Hector- thank you very much for your reply. I will keep you posted. I'm supposed to hear something within 24 hours but since today is Friday could be Monday. Thanks for the support.
Hi.
I am so sorry to hear about your AFP level. I rather not speculate right now.
Let's see what the MRI shows and then we can take it from there.
MRI report turnaround is usually very quick.
Wishing you the best of luck.
You can always send me a private message if you want to discuss things offline.
Hang in there.
Hector
I am so sorry to hear about your AFP level. I rather not speculate right now.
Let's see what the MRI shows and then we can take it from there.
MRI report turnaround is usually very quick.
Wishing you the best of luck.
You can always send me a private message if you want to discuss things offline.
Hang in there.
Hector
Thanks for the response and I have read most all of Hector's replies. I shall just wait and see. I just got home from getting the MRI. Thanks again.
Congratulations of starting Harvoni. I hope this is your ticket to SVR.
I never had an elevated AFP so I cannot respond to that part of your question. However, you might try sending a message to Hector and ask him what he thinks. I know his was elevated. He might have some ideas and information about your elevated AFP.
I never had an elevated AFP so I cannot respond to that part of your question. However, you might try sending a message to Hector and ask him what he thinks. I know his was elevated. He might have some ideas and information about your elevated AFP.
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I googled
HectorSF "AFP" site:medhelp.org
in the search box and this was result 3. Read HectorSF's replies
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/AFP-Decrease/show/2159195