The concentration of alpha-fetoprotein in fetal blood circulation is high, but it will decrease after birth. 2-3 months after birth, alpha-fetoprotein is basically replaced by albumin, which is difficult to detect in blood, so the content of alpha-fetoprotein in adult serum is very low.

Alpha-fetoprotein has many important physiological functions, including transport function, two-way growth regulation function, immunosuppression, T lymphocyte induced apoptosis and so on. Alpha-fetoprotein is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver cancer and various tumors.

It can show high concentration in various tumors and can be used as a positive detection index for various tumors. At present, it is mainly used as a serum marker of primary liver cancer for the diagnosis and curative effect monitoring of primary liver cancer.

Extended data:

1. Detection of serum AFP content in childhood: AFP content increased in liver cancer, hepatoblastoma, gonadal teratoma and hepatitis.

2. Detection of AFP content in adult serum: 60% ~ 70% of patients with primary liver cancer have increased AFP content, as do patients with testicular cancer, ovarian tumor, malignant teratoma, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, intestinal cancer and lung cancer.

3. Serum AFP levels in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and other benign liver diseases are all increased to varying degrees, but most of them are lower than 1000ug/L, which is related to the degree of hepatocyte necrosis and regeneration.

Baidu Encyclopedia-AFP