AFP (Tumor Marker) (TAF)
Department: Chemistry
Test Synonym(s): LAB559, TAF, Alpha-Fetoprotein
CPT Codes: 82105
Methodology: Abbott Alinity Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA)
Reference Range: 0-13 days old: 5,000-105,000 ng/mL; 14 days to <1 mo: 300-60,000 ng/mL; 1 mo to <2 mos: 100-10,000 ng/mL; 2 mos to <3 mos: 40-1,000 ng/mL; 3 mos to <4 mos: 11-300 ng/mL; 4 mo to <5 mos: 5-200 ng/mL; 5 mo to <6 mos: 0-90 ng/mL; 6 mos to <1 yr: 0-97 ng/mL; 1 yr to <2 yrs: 0-41 ng/mL; 2 yrs to <3 yrs: 0-12 ng/mL; 3 yrs to 150 yrs: 0.9-8.8 ng/mL
Tube Type: Red top (no gel)
Specimen: Serum
Alternate Specimen: None
Pediatric Requirements: 1 red top microtainer
Volume: 1 mL Serum
Minimum Volume: 1 red top
Temperature: Refrigerated
Stability: Room temperature: 3 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 3 months (Avoid 5 freeze/thaw cycles)
Reasons for Rejection: Incorrect tube or specimen type
Days Performed: Daily
Times Performed: Continuous
TAT: 1 day
Significance: AFP should be used in conjunction with other clinical and biochemical markers for the diagnosis and monitoring of testicular cancer. AFP may be used in conjunction with ultrasound in high risk patients to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma. AFP is not recommended for cancer screening in a general population. AFP may be elevated in other conditions including: hepatitis, drug induced hepatic damage, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal cancers, hereditary tyrosinemias and normal pregnancy. This assay is not intended for the prediction of neural tube defects in pregnant women. The serum AFP concentration alone does not provide absolute evidence of the presence of malignant disease. Patient results determined by assays using different manufacturers for methods may not be comparable.
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