Significance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Mainly related tumors: hepatocellular carcinoma and germ cell carcinoma. Other related tumors: embryonal cell carcinoma, ovarian teratoma, gastric cancer, biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc. Other influencing factors: benign diseases including hepatitis, cirrhosis, enterocolitis, and hereditary tyrosinemia can be elevated; it can also be elevated momentarily in pregnancy. AFP is the most sensitive and specific indicator for early diagnosis of primary liver cancer and is suitable for mass screening. if the blood AFP value of adults is elevated, it indicates the possibility of liver cancer. significantly elevated AFP level generally indicates primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 70-95% of patients have elevated AFP, the more advanced, the higher the AFP level, but negative does not exclude primary liver cancer. the AFP level to a certain extent AFP level reflects the size of tumor to a certain extent, and its dynamic change has a certain relationship with the disease, which is a sensitive indicator to show the treatment effect and prognosis. abnormally high AFP value generally indicates poor prognosis, and its rising level indicates deterioration. Usually, two months after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma, the AFP value should be reduced to less than 20ng/ml. If the value is not reduced much or is reduced but increases again, it indicates incomplete resection or the possibility of recurrence or metastasis. In metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, the AFP value is usually lower than 350-400ng/ml. AFP is also significantly elevated in germinal gland embryonal carcinoma and ovarian endodermal sinus carcinoma in obstetrics and gynecology. moderately elevated AFP is also common in alcoholic cirrhosis, acute hepatitis and HBsAg carriers. Some cancers of the digestive tract may also show elevated AFP. Elevated AFP in maternal serum or amniotic fluid suggests fetal spina bifida, anencephaly, esophageal atresia, or multiple births, and decreased AFP (in combination with maternal age) suggests that the unborn child is at risk for Down’s syndrome.