Alpha-fetoprotein refers to a glycoprotein that belongs to the albumin family and is synthesized by fetal stem cells and the yolk sac.
The concentration of alpha-fetoprotein in the fetus is relatively high, but after birth, alpha-fetoprotein will be replaced by albumin, so the amount of alpha-fetoprotein will gradually decrease and gradually disappear, after which it basically can’t be detected.
Newborn babies and young children may have a small amount of alpha-fetoprotein in their bodies, which is a normal physiological phenomenon. However, for adults, if there is a significant increase of alpha-fetoprotein, it may be caused by liver cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer and other diseases, and it is necessary to further improve the relevant examinations and make a clear diagnosis by combining with the pathology.
High concentration of alpha-fetoprotein may be caused by many kinds of tumors, so alpha-fetoprotein is also recognized as a serum marker for liver cancer, which can be used to check whether there is primary liver cancer.
Therefore, when you find high levels of alpha-fetoprotein, you should go to the hospital in time, complete the relevant examinations, find out the cause of the disease, and detect the cancer at an early stage, so as to avoid delaying the condition.