ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Domain	Definition
Health	AFP. A protein normally produced by a developing fetus. AFP levels are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy nonpregnant adults. An elevated level of AFP suggests the presence of either a primary liver cancer or germ cell tumor. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Specialty Definition: Alpha-fetoprotein

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is normally only produced in the foetus during its development. When found in adults, it can be used as a tumour marker. If high levels of AFP are found in aminiotic fluid it can indicate a developmental defect in the baby.

Normal levels of alpha-fetoprotein in blood plasma are very low, though they will go up slightly during pregnancy. If levels are higher than this, it could possibly indicate that a pathological process is occurring.

Like all tumour markers, the detection of AFP by itself is not diagnostic of anything, although if it is detected it is certainly advisable to rule out the diseases could cause levels to rise. The primary reason tumour markers are used are to measure the success of a treatment (e.g. chemotherapy), if levels of AFP are going down, it is an indication that a disease is improving.

High AFP in non-pregnant adult

The two most devastating conditions in an adult that cause elevated AFP in an adult are testicular cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (a type of liver cancer). Hepatocellular carcinoma will often increase AFP levels dramatically.

As well as these, cirrhosis of the liver, and active hepatitis also elevate levels of alpha-fetoprotein.

High AFP in amniotic fluid

An amniocentesis can be done if an abnormality of a foetus is suspected.

Levels of AFP can be down slightly in Down's syndrome, and levels are frequently higher with neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Multiple pregnacy (such as twins or triplets), also causes an increase in AFP levels.

Commercial Usage: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Domain	Title
Books	Alpha-Fetoprotein and Congenital Disorders (Birth Defects Institute Symposia) (reference) Alpha-fetoprotein, laboratory procedures and clinical applications (reference) Biological Activities of Alpha-Fetoprotein, Set (reference) Human alpha-fetoprotein : a review of recent methodological and clinical studies (reference) (more book examples)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Non-Fiction Usage: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Subject	Topic	Quote
Health		Parents who are worried that their epilepsy may be hereditary may wish to consult a genetic counselor to determine what the risk might be. Amniocentesis and high-level ultrasound can be performed during pregnancy to ensure that the baby is developing normally, and a procedure called a maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test can be used for prenatal diagnosis of many conditions if a problem is suspected. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Modern Translation: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Language		Translations for "ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.
French		alpha-foetoprotéine. (various references)

German		Alpha-Fetoprotein. (various references)

Italian		alfa-fetoproteina. (various references)

Pig Latin		alpha-fetoproteinay

Spanish		alfa-fetoproteína. (various references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.

Anagrams: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams
	Words within the letters "a-a-e-e-f-h-i-l-n-o-o-p-p-r-t-t"
	-5 letters: fetoprotein, interpolate, operational, protoplanet.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro.

ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Specialty Definition: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Health

Specialty Definition: Alpha-fetoprotein

High AFP in non-pregnant adult

High AFP in amniotic fluid

Synonym: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Crosswords: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Commercial Usage: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Books

Non-Fiction Usage: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Health

Modern Translation: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

French

German

Italian

Pig Latin

Spanish

Anagrams: ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

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