AFP (alpha‑fetoprotein) tests measure the concentration of AFP, a protein normally produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac; in adults, elevated AFP can serve as a tumor marker—most commonly for hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (testicular or ovarian). Clinicians use AFP levels to support diagnosis, estimate tumor burden, and monitor response to treatment.

AFP is not cancer‑specific: levels can be raised by benign liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis), pregnancy, and other conditions, so results are interpreted alongside imaging and clinical findings. Serial AFP measurements are often more informative than a single value for surveillance and detecting recurrence.

A small blood sample is collected, most commonly by venipuncture (a needle into a vein in your arm) into one or more labeled tubes; the lab separates serum or plasma and measures alpha‑fetoprotein (AFP). Some point‑of‑care or home kits use a fingerstick, but clinical AFP testing is usually done from a venous blood draw at a clinic or lab.

No special preparation is typically required unless your provider or the testing facility tells you otherwise; you may experience brief soreness or a small bruise at the puncture site. The sample is processed by the laboratory and the numeric AFP result is reported to you and/or your provider for interpretation alongside other clinical information.

An AFP (alpha‑fetoprotein) blood test measures the level of AFP in your blood; in adults, higher-than-normal AFP can be associated with certain cancers (most notably hepatocellular carcinoma and some non‑seminomatous germ‑cell tumors) but can also rise with benign liver disease or pregnancy. A single elevated result raises concern but is not diagnostic—very high levels or a rising trend are more suggestive of malignancy, while a normal or low AFP does not reliably rule cancer out.

Reference ranges and cutoff values vary by laboratory, so your personal AFP value must be interpreted in context with imaging, other tests, symptoms and medical history. AFP is often most useful when followed over time to monitor treatment response or detect recurrence rather than as a standalone screening test; discuss your specific result and risk with your clinician to determine next steps for your personal situation.

AFP (alpha‑fetoprotein) is a useful tumor marker but it is not perfectly accurate: sensitivity and specificity are limited. Many patients with early-stage cancers (especially small hepatocellular carcinomas) can have normal AFP, and many benign liver conditions (hepatitis, cirrhosis) or noncancerous states (pregnancy) can raise AFP, so a result alone cannot definitively diagnose or exclude cancer.

AFP is most valuable when combined with imaging and clinical evaluation—very high AFP levels (commonly cited thresholds such as ≈400 ng/mL in the appropriate clinical context) increase the likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma, and rising or falling AFP trends are helpful for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence. Clinicians therefore use AFP as one piece of the diagnostic and surveillance puzzle, not as a stand‑alone test.

If you’re being screened for liver cancer (people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B), AFP is usually checked alongside liver ultrasound about every six months as part of routine surveillance.

If you have a known cancer or are being treated, AFP testing is done much more frequently to track response or detect recurrence; the exact schedule is individualized but commonly ranges from checks every few weeks during active treatment to monthly or every few months during early follow‑up, then less often long term. Follow the testing schedule your oncologist or hepatologist recommends, since timing depends on the type of cancer and treatment plan.

No — AFP (alpha‑fetoprotein) test results highlight patterns of imbalance or resilience in a biomarker signal, but they are not medical diagnoses. An isolated AFP value alone cannot definitively diagnose cancer or other conditions.

AFP results must be interpreted alongside symptoms, imaging, medical history, and other laboratory or biomarker data by a qualified clinician, who can determine whether further testing or treatment is needed.

If your AFP (alpha‑fetoprotein) is elevated, the primary way to lower it is to identify and treat the underlying cause—work with your doctor for repeat testing and appropriate investigations (imaging such as liver ultrasound/CT/MRI and referral to a hepatologist or oncologist as indicated). Elevated AFP can reflect liver inflammation, benign liver disease, pregnancy, or tumors (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma or certain germ cell tumors); targeted treatment of the specific condition (antiviral therapy for hepatitis, oncologic treatment for cancer, or treatment of benign liver disease) is what typically reduces AFP levels.

While awaiting diagnosis or treatment, support liver health by avoiding alcohol and hepatotoxic medications/supplements, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling diabetes, and following vaccinations or antiviral treatment if recommended by your clinician. Do not try to “fix” AFP alone—follow your care team’s monitoring and treatment plan, because AFP is only one marker and changes must be interpreted in clinical context.