Research AFP. AFP ONOMARKER: What is it? What is the high concentration

Analysis on determining the level of certain oncomarckers makes it possible to identify cancer in early stages together with other diagnostic methods. In this article we will give information about one of the monarchors - AFP. We will try to answer questions "AFP? In what pathologies does its concentration in the blood change? "

What is AFP - oncomarker?

Oncomarkers are peculiar protein-type cells, which are a response of the body for the presence and growth of cancer cells in the body, or a malignant tumor itself produces this kind of molecule. To date, there are more than 200 names of oncomarkers. The number of oncomarcresters can be checked by passing blood test.

In addition to the detection of cancer cells, oncomarkers allow you to observe the dynamics after the treatment of cancer and prevent their relapse.

In medicine, oncomarcresses are divided into types: first and second. The first type of incomarcresses include those proteins that are produced in the blood directly the most malignant tumor. The second type of committees is produced by conventional healthy cells as the response of the immune system for nonspecific cells in the body. Since, oncomarkers of the first type are more informative in the formulation of the diagnosis, then their concentration in the blood is checked first. After, the monomarkers of the second type are investigated.

Oncomarker AFP (alpha-fetoprotein, α-fetoprotein) is the first type marker. Histologically is a two-component protein (glycoprotein). Basically produced in a bustling bubble, liver, intestines in the embryo in the period of ontogenesis (intrauterine development of the fetus). In non-remote women, as well as men, the alpha-fetoprotein value does not exceed 15 ng / ml and is synthesized in the liver.

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The role of this protein in the proper formation of the fetus is invaluable. It has such functions like:

• Cell transportation. In an adult, this task is carried out by albumin;
• Monitors the developed estrogen during pregnancy;
• Protects the fetus from the negative impact of the immune system. During pregnancy, immunity perceives the embryo as a foreign body and carries out an attack on it for rejection. In this case, the AFP protein serves as a kind of barrier for the fetus.

It should be noted that the level of this protein should strictly correspond to the period of pregnancy. Usually, for 13 weeks, there is the highest EFP level by the fetus, when, as a pregnant woman in the blood, a high concentration is detected by 30-32 weeks. And grow, the values \u200b\u200bof this protein begin with 10 weeks from the day of conception. By the end of the first year of the child's life, the level of α-fetoprotein is compared with the level of this protein in the blood in an adult.

In gynecology, together with genetics, a deviation from the norms of the level of AFP, in combination with other types of hormones, may indicate the presence of anomalies in the development of the fetus, chromosomal mutations.

In the oncology, the unable women and men have a high level of AFP may indicate a liver cancer, uterus, mammary glands, as well as lungs. The presence of this marker in the blood indicates that the body is trying to fight cancer cells. In addition to oncological diseases, a change in α-fetoprotein may indicate the presence of a liver cirrhosis, as well as hepatitis.

Increased or decrease in the concentration of ONCARCERCERCHA in the blood cannot be absolutely indicative of the presence of cancerous tumors, and even more so it is impossible to judge according to the indications, about the size, the level of pathology distribution. To establish an accurate diagnosis, more extensive diagnostic measures must be carried out.

What is the inspection of the AFP level?

The reasons why there is a need to check the amount of α-fetoprotein in the blood of several:

• Pregnant women at certain times of pregnancy for the timely detection of development anomalies in the fetus, the presence of chromosomal mutations;
• As an additional means of diagnosing liver cancer, pancreas, eggs, lungs, colon and other low-differentiated types of cancers;
• It can be judged on the presence of metastatic processes in the body;
• In addition to oncological diseases, AFP may indicate hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, scoring of biliary channels, bile-imaging disease, lesion of the liver due to alcohol dependence;
• The level of incomarcker AFP in the blood may be a kind of indicator after a course of treatment during cancer. By keeping it in the blood, you can observe the dynamics of the disease, as well as the success of the selected tactics of treatment. Also, a sudden increase in the level of α-fetoprotein may indicate a relapse.

It should be noted that the concentration of this protein in cancer reaches more than 400 me / ml. With neonkological pathologies, these numbers are several times less.

Even a high level of α-fetoprotein at the 16th week of pregnancy does not necessarily be the indicator of mutations in the child, and the low level is the presence of Down syndrome. But it is impossible to leave this fact. Additional diagnosis is needed.

In which cases AFP increases?

A significant increase in the level of α-fetoprotein in the blood may indicate such pathologies as:

• Cancer liver damage in 90% of cases;
• The presence of ovarian cancer, breast, lungs, intestines;
• The presence of metastatic processes in the body - in 10% of cases;
• The presence of pathological processes in the liver (cirrhosis, hepatitis, alcohol intoxication, liver injury);
• A pregnant woman is a cancerous disease of the fetus, anomalies in the development of internal organs of the fetus (urinary organs, esophagus, intestines, bones). Also high risk of miscarriage, pathological changes in the placenta are possible.

In which cases AFP decreases?

The decrease in the level of α-fetoprotein is also a reason for suspected of a number of diseases:

• Mutations in chromosomes in the fetus (Down syndrome, Edwards, Patau);
• There is a possibility of fetal death during intrauterine development. In medicine, such a phenomenon is called "Measuring Pregnancy";
• If a woman during pregnancy scored a lot of excess weight, the level of AFP also can decrease;
• Development of the development of the fetus due to the growing of the village of Chorion.

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Rules for handing analysis

The stage of preparation for the delivery of analysis is important for reliable performance. Recommendations are as follows:

1. Per day before the procedure is better to completely abandon alcohol, as well as from oily, fried, smoked dishes;
2. To take the analysis is better than an empty stomach or at least not earlier than 4 hours from the moment of the last meal;
3. Refrain from physical and emotional overload per hour before the procedure;
4. It should not be smoking for half an hour before passing the analysis;
5. Experts recommend at least 8 hours before the procedure does not take vitamins of group V.

The analysis cost is usually insignificant and this kind of laboratory survey can be carried out in any hospital.

Norma afp oncomarker

On average, the results of the analysis are issued 1-3 days after blood intake. Deciphering of the results must be done by a doctor who takes into account the patient's floor, the age of concomitant diseases, etc.

Oncomarker standards are:

Pregnant women:

In addition to the Me / ml measurement unit, ng / ml is also used. If the results were issued in ng / ml, then they can be transferred to me / ml, using the formula: 1 ng / ml * 0.83 \u003d me / ml.

Any deviations from the norms in medicine are considered pathology and a reason for conducting a more extensive examination. But minor deviations from the norm are permissible in the following cases:

1. As medical research shows, the neuro-shaped race, the content of α-fetoprotein is greater, compared to people relating to the Mongoloid race;
2. If a person has passed the tests a few days after a transferred viral or bacterial infection, then this fact may also affect the performance of the tests;
3. With multiple pregnancy, doctors allow deviations from the norm in an indicator of ONCARCERCER AFP, but minor.

General research information

Alpha-fetoprotein is glycoprotein, which is produced in the embryonic yellow bag, liver and intestinal epitheliums of the fetus. The molecular weight of the protein is about 70,000 Daltons, its half-life is 5-7 days. In the body of the fetus, it performs the functions of an albumin of an adult: carries out the transport of some substances necessary for the development of the fetus, binds estrogens, limiting their effect on the developing organism, and protects against the negative impact of the Mother's immune system.

Alpha Fetoprotein is actively involved in the full development of the fetus, and its level must correspond to the gestation age (the age of the fetus since fertilization). The maximum content of this protein in the blood and amniotic fluid fetal is celebrated at the 13th week, and in the blood of the mother it gradually increases from the 10th week of pregnancy and reaches a maximum on the 30-32 weeks. In 8-12 months after birth, the AFP content in the child's blood decreases to the trace of adults.

Alpha fetoprotein penetrates the mother's body through the placenta. Its level depends on the state of the gastrointestinal tract, the kidneys of the fetus and the placental barrier. In this regard, AFP is used as a non-specific marker of the state of the fetus and obstetric pathology. Joint tests for AFP, chorionic gonadotropin and estriol (the so-called triple test) on the 15-20th weeks of pregnancy are used to test the fetus for defects of development and chromosomal anomalies, but are not absolute indicators of pathology or normal development of the fetus. At the same time, it is very important to know the gestational age of the fetus, as the level of AFP in the blood differs on different weeks of pregnancy.

In the body of an adult, alpha fetoprotein is missing or detected in minimal quantities. A moderate increase in its level can be caused by the pathology of the liver, and a significant - low-differentiated tumor - this is due to the fact that some cancer neoplasms acquire the properties of embryonic tissues and, accordingly, the ability to synthesize proteins that are characteristic of the early stages of the body's development. A sharp increase in AFP is preferably revealed during liver cancer and sex glands.

With primary hepatocellular carcinoma, an increase in AFP in half of the patients can be found 1-3 months before the clinical manifestations of the disease. Although the size of the tumor, growth intensity, the process stage and the degree of malignancy are not proportional to the amount of alpha fetoprotein in the blood. With a progressive germinogenic undemine (floor tumor), determining the level of AFP and chorionic gonadotropin is important for evaluating the chances of survival of patients.

What is the study?

• For prenatal diagnosis of pathologies for the development of the fetus: disruption of the bookmarks of the nervous tube, Anedzphaly (severe malformation, in which the fetus is missing part of the brain), chromosomal anomalies.
• To identify primary hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).
• To identify the theratoblastomes of eggs (germinogenic inminders).
• To diagnose low-differentiated tumors.
• To diagnose metastases of tumors of various localizations to the liver.
• To assess the effectiveness of the treatment of some oncological diseases and to monitor their flow.

When is the study assigned?

• When examining a patient with a high risk of tumor development (under cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis, alpha antitripxin deficiency).
• If suspicious of metastasation of tumors in the liver.
• When examining a patient with a neoplasm of the genual glands.
• Before, during and after the treatment of some cancer.
• When observing the state in the postoperative period of patients who were removed by a tumor.
• In the second trimester of pregnancy (between the 15th and 21st weeks of gestation).
• During the examination of pregnant women, which were carried out by the amniocentesis and biopsy of Chorion in the early period of pregnancy.

One of these analyzes is AFP, whose indicators are increasing with development deviations. In addition, it can determine the formation of certain types of tumors.

What it is?

The first protein of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) discovered American scientists in the serum of embryos, as well as in adults in the first half of the twentieth century. He received its name because of its specificity for embryos.

Today, this figure has been the greatest interest in pregnant women, since at its concentration in the blood, it is possible to determine serious pathology and disorders in the development of the fetus. And now we'll figure it out, which means the analysis of the blood of ACE and how to understand the results of the study.

AFP properties and its value for the body

Alpha fetoprotein is represented as a special protein, which is formed from an embryo tissue - a yellow bag, intestinal cells, hepatocytes. In the blood of an adult, only its traces are found in the blood, and as for the fetus, he has a high density of AFP, which is caused by the functions that it performs. In the intrauterine fetus, this indicator is similar to albumin in adults, binds and transfers different nutrients, hormones, performs the protective function of the toddes of the baby from the immunity of his mom.

One of the main features of AFP refers to the ability to bind polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thanks to these components, the cell membranes are constructed, synthesis of prostaglandins - biologically active substances, because they cannot form embryo tissues or in the parent organism. They can only come from outside with food, consequently, to deliver them to the place intended for them, it is necessary to have certain carriers proteins. What else means the analysis of the blood of AFP?

It must be in the desired concentration according to pregnancy, as it has a significant impact on the embryo. In the initial stages, when the fruit is developing, AFP is produced using the yellow body of the mother's ovary, as its concentration in the blood increases, it reaches significant indicators by 13 weeks.

At the time of the child's appearance, his organism produces albumin, taking the function of the fetal protein on itself, and AFP indicators begin to gradually decline in the first year of life. As for adults, it is only the found of its traces for them, and with increasing indicators we can talk about serious pathologies. Thus, AFP is a marker, which is necessary not only during pregnancy, but also to identify pathologies of internal organs in adults.

As noted earlier, the analysis of the definition of AFP is used as a screening rate of pregnancy without pathologies, changing with diverse defects of the development of congenital syndromes. But it must be remembered that in order to obtain an accurate result of the presence or absence of pathology, it is necessary to produce a complex of research.

What else can mean AFP?

Consider what means in the analysis of the blood of AFP in men.

The unwitting raise of alpha-fetoprotein in adults, as a rule, testifies to deviations in the liver activity, with significant exceeding the norm refers to the development of malignant tumors.

The degree of increasing AFP does not affect such indicators as the tumor stage, its value or growth rate, more precisely, the tumor of an aggressive nature is accompanied by such a noticeable increase in the indicators of this protein, which does not refer to more differentiated carcinomas. Nevertheless, there are cases when approximately half of the patients having a liver cancer, an AFP indicator is increased in 1-3 months before the very symptoms of this disease. We learned what an ACE blood test. How to prepare for this study?

Indications for analysis

To determine the level of AFP in serum, it is necessary to preserve the following basic readings:

The presence of suspicion of prenatal pathology, i.e. the presence of chromosomal diseases, violations of the brain development, vices of other bodies.

When the sewer and cellular cancer is excluded and the diagnosis of metastases of other types of liver cancer.

When the tumors of the genital organs are excluded.

If it is necessary to control the effectiveness of antitumor therapy from its beginning to end.

With the existence of high growth in the development of cancer in the disease of the liver, the analysis is carried out, which determines the level of alpha-fetoprotein, which allows at an early stage of development to identify neoplasms. What does AFP mean in the analysis of blood in women?

AFP test during pregnancy is a screening study, which is carried out during the period of increasing its level in the future mother - between 15 and 21 weeks.

Mandatory definition of AFP in a pregnant woman needs to be done in case:

• bloodworgled marriage;
• availability of genetic susceptibility;
• already existing in the family of children with congenital anomalies;
• first births aged than 35 years old;
• taking toxic drugs or X-ray studies of the future mother in early pregnancy.

How to prepare for analysis?

To pass the analysis to determine the concentration of AFP, it is necessary:

• end the reception of drugs rear before analysis;
• it should be abandoned from oily, fried and salty foods, from alcohol, not after 21:00;
• in two days do not perform strong physical exertion, not to lift gravity;
• an analysis is given on an empty stomach, only the use of no more than one glass of water is permissible;
• it is prohibited to smoke smoking for half an hour before analysis.

During the analysis of blood on AFP, the patient takes about 10 ml of blood from Vienna. The protein is determined using an enzyme immunoassay method.

Norm and pathology in pregnant women

Regulatory indicators of the density level of alpha-fetoprotein depend on the set of factors: age, gender, pregnancy in a woman. In children until the year, this level is higher than in an adult, but with age begins to decline, the girls are more. Upon reaching the one-year-old age and the boys, and in girls, the level of AFP concentration in blood test (which means during pregnancy, it is interesting to many) becomes the same.

During pregnancy, the RFP should comply with the periods of gestation. Let's consider the norms of the ratio of the period of pregnancy and the level of AFP in the blood: in the first 12 weeks \u003d less than 15 units / ml, and the last weeks \u003d units / ml.

Everyone has everyone

As for non-removed women, men and children, then they have the following EFR level: boys up to 1 month - 0.5-ml; Girls up to 1 month - 0.5 -M / ml; boys up to a year - up to 23.5 me / ml; Girls have up to a year - up to 64.3 me / ml; After a year in children, as well as adult women who are not in position and men - no more than 6.67 me / ml.

It should be borne in mind that the rates of AFP standards may depend on the methods of determining the serum protein. When using certain automatic analyzers, there may be lower rates of AFP norms, but a laboratory technicians should always be warned about it, and the attending physician.

What does AFP mean in blood test?

Cancer is a very common disease. Consider in more detail how to determine it.

With elevated AFP blood, it is possible to preserve pathologies:

• bicker cell cancer;
• germinogenic testicular tumors;
• teratomas;
• metastatic liver damage;
• diseases of the liver - cirrhosis, inflammatory process, alcohol damage, surgical intervention;
• congenital immunodeficiency, attaxia-teleangectation;
• pathology during pregnancy - defects in the development, probability of premature genera, multiple pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the definition of AFP can identify many pathology for the formation of the fetus. These are deviations in the development of the nervous system, such as non-control of the brain, the separation of the vertebrae, hydrocephalus; From the urinary system - polycystic, lack of kidney; hernia navel, deviations of the front wall of the abdomen; irregularities of bone formation, osteodysplasia; intrauterine teratoma. What does AFP mean in blood test (108.9 value, for example)?

Not only the elevated level of AFP in the blood is a sign of the presence of deviations, but also downward, which indicates the presence of chromosomal anomalies - Down syndrome, Edwards, Patau; frozen fetal intrauterine; obesity in a pregnant woman; Disorders of the development of the placenta - bubble drift.

findings

Thus, considering all sorts of pathologies associated with the deviations from the level of AFP in the blood, we conclude that the increase and decrease in the level of AFP is a reason for further observation of the patient's health and entails the need for further survey.

When the deviations from the level of the norm are detected in adults, this means the presence of the probability of developing an oncological disease, as well as liver pathologies. With this situation, additional surveys are required, which are to pass the blood test to oncomarkers, liver enzymes, the passage of the ultrasound of internal organs. It should also be consulted in narrow specialists (urologist, oncologist, hepatologist).

We looked at what is meant by the analysis of AFP.

What is alpha-fetoprotein analysis and its norm in men

Modern medicine has a mass of diagnostic methods to identify various ailments. On alpha-fetoprotein Analysis and deviation from the norm in men, women and children is one of the main oncomarkers used to identify pathology, tracing treatment dynamics. But there are diseases in which AfPA indicators may be increased, but do not indicate the presence of such a formidable disease as cancer. Consider some particular to help navigate in this matter even before receiving a specialist.

What is AFP and its role in the body

Alpha-fetoprotein is glycoproteins of transport value, which is found in high concentration in the blood of the fetus and in much less - in adult people regardless of gender. There is a tendency to increase the concentration of AFP in pregnant women, which is due to physiologically.

Due to the fact that the high concentration of this protein is celebrated in the child in the womb, they are investigated and its functions are proved:

• it serves as the "carrier" of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the body of the mother through the placenta in the kid's blood. These components are needed to build cells and the normal development of all organs and fetal systems. After the birth of a child to replace the fetal protein, serum albumin comes, which causes a gradual decrease in the amount of alpha fetoprotein;
• suppresses the immune activity of the fetus and mother. It protects the future kid from autoimmune and hyperimmune states, pathologies in the development of the nervous tube and other vital organs. That is why the screening uses this study to determine pathologies during intrauterine development;
• regulates the activity and processes of interaction of hormones and enzymes, controls the ripening of cells of the growing organism.

In the organism of an adult, this protein does not perform any functions.

Features of the analysis, norm, types of research

Analysis on AFP uses biological fluids of the organism, most often - venous blood.

As with most diagnostic studies, there are certain rules that will help achieve reliable results:

1. 1-2 weeks before the alleged study, it is recommended to stop the reception of any medicines or dietary supplements. If medicines are needed for the treatment of chronic illness and the refusal of them threatens the deterioration of the patient's condition, you must certainly report this to a laboratory doctor or attending specialist. Some drugs distort the result.
2. For about 2-3 days, you need to limit exercise - visiting the gym, morning jogging, heavy physical work. We must try to avoid nervous overvoltage and stressful situations.
3. The day before the allowance of the biomaterial does not drink fried, sharp and smoked dishes. Heavy food affects metabolic processes and liver condition.
4. On the day of analysis, you need to abandon breakfast, do not smoke, not nervous and before carrying out the procedure calmly sit at least 30 minutes.
5. In addition to breakfast, you need to also refuse to use a large amount of water. A glass of fastening tea will not spoil the picture, but the amount of liquid more than ½ liters will provoke an increase in blood volume in line, which can show significantly lower results than it actually is.

There are two ways of testing:

From the method of analysis depends on the rate of a norm that can differ significantly. Therefore, before conducting a study, it is necessary to ask what kind of method the selected laboratory uses. And in the future, if there is a need to repeated analysis, or to make it in the same laboratory, or seek such that uses a similar test method.

Indications for research, as they say deviations

For analysis on AFP there are several objective reasons:

• pregnant women are prescribed to determine the state of the fetus and identify defects in the development at an early stage (such pathologies can be determined as vices of the nervous tube, Down syndrome and some others);
• with problem pregnancy to observe the intrauterine development of the fetus;
• suspicion of oncological processes in the liver or some other organs. However, this figure is essential for the early diagnosis of precisely pathological processes in the liver;
• when conducting therapy with oncological disease to monitor the effectiveness and effectiveness of the selected treatment methods.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the fact that a significant increase in AFP may be situational.

It provokes the following states:

1. During the active regeneration of the liver tissues due to injuries of the organ (mechanical, postoperative or others, accompanied by damage to the organ).
2. Long-term reception of some drugs whose metabolism passes with the participation of the liver.
3. Acute period of chronic pathologies of the liver and gallbladder.

The low concentration of protein, which comes to reference values, indicates the presence of problems with the liver or bubble, which do not wear the character of oncology:

• hepatitis of various types;
• any stage of the cirrhosis;
• cadic problems, in particular failure.

Benign neoplasms can also "give" an increase in the level of AFP, but their minor sizes do not make it possible to diagnose them in other ways.

Often, the following systemic pathologies are detected:

1. Fat hepatosis.
2. Cholecystitis.
3. Hyperplazic changes and formation aden in the liver.
4. Cholelithiasis.
5. The formation of cystic tumors in the liver and the urinary system.

And the most formidable diseases that are diagnosed with this oncomarcker:

• hepatoblastoma and liver carcinoma;
• oncological processes of the sexual sphere of both men and women (education in ovaries and testicles);
• oncology breasts;
• oncological processes (flat-mell cancer) of the esophagus;
• oncology pancreas;
• metastases in the liver, which appeared due to the dissemination of the process from other organs.

Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP): during pregnancy and as a marker, blood and deviation rate

Dozens of blood indicators are investigated for the diagnosis of various diseases, which allow you to determine the disadvantage in the body not only in adults and children, but also at the stage of intrauterine development in the fetus. An AFP is considered one of these markers, the level of which increases with defects. In addition, AFP reflects the presence of some tumors.

For the first time, the alpha fetoprotein protein was found in the serum of embryos and adults by American scientists in the first half of the last century. It was called alpha-fetoprotein due to the fact that it was specific for embryos.

More detailed studies were carried out by Russian biochemists from the second half of the 20th century. Analyzing tumor growth, the presence of AFP in the blood serum patients with liver cancer, which made it possible to attribute it in 1964 to the tumor markers of this body. It also became clear that alpha fetoprotein is formed during pregnancy and in certain concentrations is its normal manifestation. These studies have become a breakthrough in biochemistry and were registered in the register of discoveries of the USSR.

Professor Tatarinov Yu. S. proposed a test on AFP in blood serum, which to this day remains the only one in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Today, future mothers are most interested in and want to know about this indicator, because its concentration can talk about serious pathology and disorders of the development of the fetus. Let's try to figure out what AFP is and how to interpret the results of research.

Properties and importance of AFP for the body

Alfa-fetoprotein is a special protein that is formed by the fans of the embryo (gustling bag, intestinal cells, hepatocytes). In adults in the blood, only its traces can be detected in the blood, and in fruits the concentration of AFP is significant, due to the functions performed by them. The developing body AFP is similar to an albumin of adults, it binds and transfers various substances, hormones, protects the fabrics of the future kid from the immune system of the mother.

An important ability of AFP is the binding to them of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These components are needed to construct cell membranes, the synthesis of biologically active substances of prostaglandins, but they are not formed either tissues of the embryo or in the body of the mother, but come from outside with food, so they are delivered to the right place depends only on specific carriers proteins.

Introducing an important impact on the growth of the embryo, AFP should be present in the necessary quantity in accordance with the pregnancy term. At the first stages of the development of the Fetal, AFP is synthesized by the yellow body of the mother's ovary, and by 13 weeks of pregnancy, its concentration in the blood and spindle waters becomes significant.

After laying the liver and intestines in the kid, their cells themselves produce AFP for their own needs, but its significant amounts penetrate the placenta and in the blood of the mother, therefore, to the third trimester of gestation, nangel, AFP becomes the maximum and in the future mother.

By the time of the child, his body begins to produce albumin, which takes on the functions of a fetal protein, and the concentration of AFP is gradually decreasing during the first year of life. In adults, only traces of AFP can be found in the norm, and its promotion testifies to serious pathology.

AFP is a marker, determined not only during pregnancy, but also in pathologies of internal organs

The definition of AFP is used as one of the screening indicators of the normal course of pregnancy, which changes with different anomalies of development, vices, congenital syndromes. Immediately, it should be noted that the result does not always speak exactly about the presence or absence of pathology, so the evaluation of its oscillations should be carried out in a complex with other studies.

In adults, the unwatched increase in alpha fetoprotein usually indicates violations in the liver (cirrhosis, hepatitis), a significant excess of the norm indicates malignant tumors. Cancer cells at a high degree of malignant may acquire not only external similarity with embryonic, but also functioning features. The high TTR of AFP is accompanied by low-differentiated and embryonic liver tumors, ovaries, prostate gland.

Neither the stage of the tumor nor its value or growth rate does not affect the degree of increasing AFP, that is, aggressive tumors may be accompanied by a less significant increase in the amount of this protein, rather than differentiated carcinomas. However, it has been proven that about half of the patients with liver cancer have an increase in AFP for another 1-3 months before the appearance of a tumor symptoms, which allows this analysis as screening from predisposed persons.

When you need to define afp and how it is done

The main indications for determining the level of AFP in blood serum are considered:

• Suspected of prenatal pathology: chromosomal diseases, brain development disorders, vices of other bodies.
• The elimination of the sepiecotted cancer and the diagnosis of metastases of other types of cancer in the liver.
• The elimination of the tumors of the genital organs (teratom, heerine, low-differentiated cancers).
• Control of the effectiveness of antitumor therapy as before its start and after.

Definition of alpha-fetoprotein is carried out in diseases of the liver (cirrhosis, hepatitis), when there is a high risk of cancer. In such patients, the analysis can help the early diagnosis of the neoplasm. It is worth noting that for the screening of tumors in general, this test does not suit non-specificity, therefore it is carried out only if certain types of cancer are suspected.

When pregnancy, an AFP test is shown as a screening study conducted during the growing level of its level in a woman - between 15 and 21 weeks. If at the beginning of pregnancy, the patient was conducted by amniocentesis or biopsy Vorsin Chorion, it also requires control of the level of AFP.

Absolute indications for the definition of AFP in a pregnant woman consider:

1. Bloodworm marriage;
2. The presence of genetically determined diseases by parents and close relatives;
3. Already available children with genetic anomalies;
4. The first birth after the 35 years of age;
5. Reception of toxic drugs or X-ray study of the future mother in early pregnancy.

Preparation for analysis

To determine the concentration of AFP, preparation is extremely simple. Before the planned study you need:

• Refuse to receive rear medications;
• On the eve of the analysis, there is no fat, fried and salty products, not drink alcohol, the last meal is no longer nine in the evening;
• For a couple of days, limit strong physical exertion, including weight lifts;
• In the morning, go on an analysis of an empty stomach, but you can drink no more glass of water;
• Smokers should not smoke at least half an hour before analyzing.

In the morning, about 10 ml of venous blood take the surveyed, the definition of the protein is carried out using an enzyme immunoassay method. The result may depend on some factors about which both the specialist and the patient should know:

1. The introduction of monoclonal antibodies and large doses of biotin changes the level of the specified protein;
2. Representatives of the Negroid race, fetal protein is greater than the average norm, the Mongoloids are less;
3. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the future mother causes a decrease in AFP.

In the case of a pregnant woman, certain rules must strictly follow. So, you need to accurately determine the term of pregnancy and the level of AFP, permissible during this period. Deviations from the norm in the absence of other signs of pathology on the part of the fetus cannot be an accurate feature of the vice, that is, false-positive or false-negative results are possible. On the other hand, protein oscillations beyond normal values \u200b\u200btalk about increased risk of pathology - premature genera, hypotrophy of the fetus, etc.

Normal or pathology?

The concentration rate of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood depends on age, gender, pregnancy in a woman. The kids up to the year it is higher than in adults, but gradually decreases, and the girls have more than the boys, and only after a one-year-old period, the concentration is installed on the same values \u200b\u200bfor both sexes. In adults, its number should not exceed trace concentrations, otherwise it will be about pathology. The exceptions are future mothers, but they also have an increase in AFP should lie within certain limits.

During pregnancy, AFP is raised according to the period of gestation. In the first trimester, its concentration is up to 15 international units in the millilitress of blood, then gradually increases and reaches the maximum value by 32 weeks.

Table: RAMS AFP during pregnancy for weeks

In non-empty normal, this level of AFP is considered:

• Newborn boys (up to 1 month) - 0.5 -M / ml;
• Newborn girls - 0.5 -M / ml;
• Children under the year: Boys - up to 23.5 me / ml, girls - up to 64.3 me / ml;
• In children after a year, adult men and non-embled women, the standard is the same - no more than 6.67 me / ml.

schedule of the level of AFP depending on the increase and at various diseases

It is worth a reservation that the norm may depend on the method of determining the serum protein. The use of some automatic analyzers implies lower normal AFP values, which is usually notified and a laboratory and a doctor.

If AFP is not normal ...

Increased AFP blood speaks of the possible presence of pathology, such as:

1. Neoplasms - sewer-milking cancer, germinogenic testicular tumors, teratomas, metastatic liver damage and some cancer localization (stomach, light, lactic iron);
2. Non-thorough pathology of the liver - cirrhosis, inflammatory process, alcoholic lesion, transferred surgical interventions on the liver (resection of a share, for example);
3. Impaired hemostasis and immunity (congenital immunodeficiency, ataxia-teleangectasia);
4. Pathology in obstetrics - developmental anomalies, threat of premature births, multiple pregnancy.

In pregnant women, Afp is assessed based on the period of pregnancy and these other studies (ultrasound, amniocentesis). If there are signs of pathology on ultrasound, the likelihood of the fact that AFP will be changed. At the same time, an isolated increase in this protein is not yet a cause for panic, since the decoding of analysis should be carried out in a complex with other results of the survey of the future mother.

Cases are known when a woman ignored elevated AFP and refused to have such procedures as an amniocentsis or a study of the village of Chorion, and a healthy baby was born later. On the other hand, some vices may not cause oscillations of this indicator. In any case, the study of AFP enters the screening program during pregnancy, so it is necessary to determine it anyway, and then to do it - the woman decides together with a female consultation doctor.

Increased AFP, along with proven with ultrasound examination, severe vices often requires abortion, since the fruit may die before birth or be born non-visual. Due to the lack of specificity and a clearly established connection between the number of AFP and developmental deposits, only this indicator cannot be a reason for any conclusions. So, elevated AFP together with the defects of the nervous tube are observed only in 10% of pregnant women, the rest of the women give birth to healthy children.

Thus, AFP may be an important indicator and even one of the first signs of pathology, but in no case is not the only one, it should always be complemented by other studies.

In obstetrics, blood test on AFP may indirectly indicate such malformations of the fetal formation as:

• Deviations from the nervous system - the absence of a brain, the splitting of the vertebrae, hydrocephalus;
• Vices of the urinary system - polycystic, aplasia kidney;
• Basic hernias, defects of the front wall of the abdomen;
• Disorders of bone fabric, osteodysplasia;
• Intrauterine teratoma.

A sign of unfavorable may be not only an increase, but also a decrease in the level of AFP, which is observed at:

1. Chromosomal pathology - Down syndrome, Edwards, Patau;
2. Intrauterine fetal death;
3. The presence of obesity has a future mother;
4. Violation of the formation of the placenta - bubble skid.

Based on the possible possible manifestations of changes in the level of AFP, it becomes clear that the increase and decrease in it should be a reason for close attention to the patient and requires further survey.

With the oscillations of alpha-fetoprotein in men and non-removed women, the doctor, first of all, suspects oncological diseases and the pathology of the liver, so there are additional examinations: blood test to oncomarkers, hepatic enzymes, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, are prescribed to the consultations of narrow specialists (urologist, oncologist, hepatologist).

When confirmed by the fact of tumor growth, the monitoring of the RFP level acquires another value: the decrease in its number indicates the effectiveness of the treatment carried out, and increasing is about progression and possible cancer metastasis.

Opportunities for AFP

Attention to AFP is due not only to the marker at various diseases, but also the possibility of its use as a therapeutic agent. It is known that alpha-fetoprotein increases the formation of fibroblasts in the connective tissue, stimulates apoptosis (the programmed destruction of altered cells), prevents the binding of viral particles with lymphocytes and autoantibodies with cell cells.

Applied AFP as a drug with:

• Diabetes;
• Autoimmune pathology (thyroiditis, arthritis, miastic, rheumokard, etc.);
• Bronchial asthma;
• Moma of the uterus;
• Urogenital infections;
• Thrombosis;
• Scarmed sclerosis;
• Ulcerative defeat of the intestine.

In addition, it is noted that AFP preparations are able to improve potency, as well as favorably affect the skin, so they are used in cosmetology.

An example of the drug based on alpha-fetoprotein is Alfetin, developed by Russian scientists, successfully passed clinical trials and already registered as a medical agent. It has a good immunomodulatory effect, reduces the activity of autoimmune reactions, helps in the treatment of oncological diseases, while the dose of chemotherapy can be reduced.

Alfetin is made from fetal (fruit) AFP, obtained from abortion serum. The diluted dry drug is introduced into the muscle or intravenously both in the treatment process and for the prevention of many diseases.

Alfa-fetoprotein is an important health status indicator, so when the doctor sees the need for analysis, it is not necessary to refuse. If protein concentrations differ from the norm - this is not a reason for panic, because the amount of it can speak not only about the vices from the fetus or malignant tumors, but also about inflammatory processes and completely benign formations.

With timely establishment of the fact of Changes in AFP, the specialist's arsenal will not only have additional high-precision methods of surveys, but also all sorts of ways of treating many diseases. The use of AFP-based preparations makes a more successful therapy of a wide range of diseases and gives hope for a cure to many patients.

Pregnancy - not only the happiest period of a woman, he is also extremely responsible. After all, now the future mother should take care of her health as best as possible, and therefore the baby, whom wearing under the Head.

Thanks to modern technologies, today you can detect almost any deviation that has a fetus. There are many diagnostic methods. One of them is an AFP analysis.

What is AFP?

Alfaphhetoprotein (AFP) is a specific protein produced by the liver and a gastabase of the future child from the 5th week of gestation. Until this time, a yellow body corresponds to the formation of a substance.

A sufficient amount of AFP during pregnancy is considered very important, but not the only criterion for determining the presence or absence of many deviations in the development of the child. This substance is necessary to the baby, as it solves several significant tasks:

• helps to transfer protein from the blood of a pregnant woman into the body of the baby, providing its development and growth;
• helps to carry fats involved in the creation of cell shells;
• in the last trimester of pregnancy helps to create a surfactant, a substance that envelops Alveola, allowing a baby to breathe after it is born;
• does not give mother hormones (estrogen) to influence the formation of the body;
• helps maintain blood pressure in vessels at the required level;
• helps reduce the production of immune cells of the mother, preventing spontaneous rejection of the future child and contributing to having to wear it.

When to donate blood?

The analysis must be handed over to every pregnant woman until the 12th week. When detecting deviations from standard indicators, re-fence is prescribed. However, there are specific prerequisites for the delivery of this analysis when the risk of developing the pathologies of the fetus is quite high. These include:

• conception of a child from a relative of blood;
• the appearance of the previous baby with any deviation;
• mother's age is over 35 years;
• the impact of various toxins, radiation and other factors on the body of the future mother;
• any problems with the hatching and birth of a child in the past;
• use of drugs before the occurrence of pregnancy or at its beginning;
• the existence of hereditary or genetic pathologies in the future father or mother;
• x-ray in the early stages of gestation.

An analysis of AFP is appointed not only pregnant. This substance is present in the blood of both women and men, with an anomalous cell division rate. Its presence in certain doses may be a sign of the oncological disease of the liver, the testicles from representatives of the strong gender, the ovaries in the beautiful half of humanity.

The process of delivery of analysis

Given what important information gives an analysis to AFP, you need to do everything you need to get the most accurate results. To do this, follow a number of uncomplicated requirements:

• do not take any medications two weeks before the blood fence, they can distort data;
• fat, fried, salty, sharp, and any alcohol must be excluded from the diet on the eve of the visit to the clinic;
• avoid any physical exertion 1-2 days before you take blood;
• it is necessary to give an analysis to an empty stomach, it is allowed to drink exclusively filtered water.

If at least one of these rules are violated, you risk obtaining distorted information, and this means the need to re-pass the analysis.

RAMS AFP at different stages

AFP during pregnancy can vary. Its level depends on the period of gestation. The norm is presented in the table, international units per 1 ml of blood (IU / ml) are used:

Gestation period, week	Min.pocator (IU / ml)	Max. Max / ml)
1-13	0,5	15
14-16	15	60
17-20	15	95
21-24	27	125
25-28	52	140
29-30	67	150
31-32	100	250
33-42	Not done because there is no informative

At first, the level of AFP is minimal due to the too small release of this substance germs. Its maximum is observed after 32 weeks, when the formation of tissues is completed and their growth and strengthening begins.

If AFP is raised

If there is any pathology, the level of concentration of this substance is more often increasing. If this happened, you need to go through other surveys, based on the results of which the issue of pregnancy pregnancy will be resolved. This is an ultrasound, surrendering blood tests on hCG and urine, consulting genetics.

Factors affecting an increase in the concentration of AFP during pregnancy:

• infectious disease, reflected on the liver of a future baby;
• great weight of the fetus;
• inconsistency of the period of gestation and the development of the body of the child;
• multiple pregnancy;
• pathology of the development of the urinary system;
• pathology of the development of the nervous tube;
• hydrocephalus;
• pathological development of chromosomes;
• increased level of sugar in mothers or hypertensive crisis;
• overweight mother or strong toxicosis;
• risk of miscarriage.

Increased concentration of AFP may also mean a malfunctional period of pregnancy.

If AFP is low

Reducing the level of concentration of the substance is less common. Such a phenomenon can talk about:

• the threat of spontaneous miscarriage to 15 weeks and premature births after 16 weeks;
• bubble drift;
• delay in the development of the fetus;
• frozen pregnancy;
• chromosomal anomalies.

Regardless of the direction of deviation, if it is small, it is impossible to take any action. With significant discrepancies from the norm, the passage of additional surveys is necessary, based on the results of which the decision will be made whether pregnancy is taken or take measures to preserve it.

Analysis on AFP during pregnancy is not the only criterion for determining the level of development of the fetus. This is only a marker that can show the need for additional surveys.

However, blood delivery to determine the level of AFP in the body is a rather reliable way to determine the development of pregnancy. Timely detection of problems makes it possible to take appropriate measures to solve them.

In the blood of each person a lot of components of its elements responsible for some specific functions. In addition to all erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets known (which should always maintain their numerical equilibrium), hormones and proteins and other components are also in it. All of them have certain norms regarding their level, and the increase or reduction will be a sign of some deviations. Today's topic will be devoted to AFP. You will learn what it is, what is its nature of origin, permissible standards of content and causes of deviations in the analysis.

What does this three letter abbreviation of AFP mean? It is hidden alpha fetoprotein, which is protein. Its growing value in the blood is recorded in women in a pregnant condition, and in people with some diseases, including oncological.

In natural conditions, an increase in the indicator of AFP is celebrated in girls during pregnancy, because this protein is synthesized in the fetus tissues, and is extremely important for the kid.

In pathologies, men and non-empty ladies, he performs oncomarker, and a lot of reasons for its active work out can be quite a reason.

Blood analysis on alpha fetoprotein is shown:

Analysis rate

Alpha Protein (so else can call AFP) in the blood of an adult healthy person is always present. The norm in men and women outside pregnancy is up to 10 (ng / ml). There is another unit of measurement - me / ml, and in this case, the normal indicator is lowered to 8.

Increased AFP is most often a sign of tumor diseases, such as:

Also an increase in the level of alpha fetoprotein may indicate:

• Metastases in the liver;
• Bronchogenic carcinoma;
• Breast cancer;
• Stomach cancer;
• Fat intestine cancer;
• Pancreatic cancer.

Some unclear diseases can provoke AFP's growth, they include: liver cirrhosis, acute viral and chronic hepatitis, as well as chronic renal failure.

If an increase in AFP protein was temporary, then it is possible a sign of a benign disease, such as fatty hepatosis, adenoma or liver cysts, nodular liver hyperplasia, cholecystitis, gallstone disease, or the result of active liver regeneration, which was required to restore the organ due to the actions of antibacterial and antiviral drugs.

Analysis during pregnancy

Alpha Fethoprotein is a specific germ protein, which means, it is produced by the cells of the yolk bag or the liver of the fetus. Its value is very important, because for non-forming the body, AFP stands:

• Means of transporting proteins and fats from the mother's organism necessary for the growth and development of the future child;
• Protein, synthesizing the surfactant, which envelops the lungs alveoli, so that the kid after birth can breathe independently;
• Protective mechanism for the fetus from the negative impact of mother hormones (estrogen);
• An element, due to which the normal blood pressure is maintained in the fruit vessels, allowing it to live inside the womb and develop properly.

But the most important function of Alpha Protein is manifested when the Mother's immune system begins to reject the embryo, because for the body it is a foreign body. AFP helps getting like the fetus and reduce the natural immunosuppression of the parent organism, preventing spontaneous miscarriage.

In modern conditions, children with anomalous development and genetic mutations in the body began to be born very often. The best scientists of the world fruitfully worked on this question, who offered intrauterine methods of prenatal diagnostics, allowing even at the initial stage of pregnancy to identify pathology and prevent the birth of incapacitated babies, which will continue to suffer from themselves and make loved ones.

One of the similar tests is a laboratory test of blood to Alpha Fetoprotein. This is not the only diagnostic method, so doctors are never limited to them. But its results have one of the most important values.

For the first time, such an analysis is shown a girl during the first trimester. Most optimally perform it in the tenth-eleventh week. The accuracy of the results, with proper conduct, is more than 90%, but the accuracy of the analysis is always additionally confirmed by an ultrasound, analyzing HCG, amniocentesis, etc.

More severely refer to Analysis on AFP in such situations under which:

Blood for analyzing Alpha Protein is taken from veins, enough ten milliliters of material. So that the results were not false, shortly before the procedure should be started to prepare. Already in two weeks you need to stop the reception of any medicines, since the presence of their components in the blood can distort the result. 24 hours before the examination, you need to switch to light, not fatty food, excluding roasted, salty and acute food, as well as alcoholic beverages. Over the past 48 hours, you should maintain emotional calm and bodily peace. It is impossible to do hard work, physical education and even general cleaning. Have a dinner before the day of analysis, you need not later than nine in the evening. In the laboratory you come on an empty stomach, the use of pure simple water is allowed, but not more than one glass.