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Elevation of alpha-fetoprotein levels is a characteristic finding in which tumor?
Suggested Answer: A
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Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is commonly elevated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma), particularly in those with underlying cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B/C. AFP is not typically elevated in adenomas, cholangiocarcinoma, or FNH.
According to Rumack's Diagnostic Ultrasound:
''Serum AFP levels are elevated in 50--70% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.''
Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2017.
AASLD Guidelines for HCC Surveillance, 2018.
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25 comments · newest first
TI
Tiffiny
3 months ago
Alpha-fetoprotein is a key marker for liver cancer, right?
LA
Launa
3 months ago
I remember it from class, definitely related to liver tumors.
OM
Omer
4 months ago
Yeah, hepatocellular carcinoma is the one.
JO
Joseph
5 months ago
I think it's liver cancer.
AN
Annmarie
5 months ago
I heard it can be elevated in pregnancy too!
CH
Chan
5 months ago
Yup, definitely liver and testicular cancers.
SI
Silva
6 months ago
Wait, really? I thought it was just liver-related.
TR
Tricia
6 months ago
Totally agree, also seen in germ cell tumors!
BR
Brigette
6 months ago
It's associated with liver cancer.
CA
Carole
6 months ago
Liver cancer, duh. Although I'd rather have a nice steak than a tumor any day.
KR
Kristeen
6 months ago
Isn't alpha-fetoprotein linked to pregnancy? I'm stumped on this one.
LI
Lindsey
6 months ago
Hmm, I'm pretty sure it's testicular cancer. Gotta love those weird tumor markers!
SO
Sophia
7 months ago
This one's a no-brainer, it's gotta be liver cancer.
PA
Pamella
7 months ago
I’m a bit confused... I thought it could also be related to testicular cancer, but I guess hepatocellular carcinoma is the classic answer?
IS
Isabelle
7 months ago
I practiced a question like this before, and I feel like it was definitely linked to liver cancer. Just can’t recall the specifics!
RA
Raina
8 months ago
I remember something about it being elevated in germ cell tumors too, but I’m not sure if that’s the main one they’re looking for.
WI
Winfred
8 months ago
I think alpha-fetoprotein is mainly associated with liver tumors, right? Maybe hepatocellular carcinoma?
MI
Ming
8 months ago
Hmm, I'm a bit stuck on this one. I know alpha-fetoprotein is associated with certain cancers, but I can't quite remember which one. I'll have to try to eliminate some options and see if I can narrow it down.
FA
Fausto
8 months ago
I've got this! Alpha-fetoprotein is elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a type of liver cancer. I'm confident that's the right answer.
CL
Clay
8 months ago
Ugh, I'm really not sure about this one. Tumor markers are not my strongest area. I'll have to make an educated guess and hope for the best.
JE
Jeannine
9 months ago
Okay, let me see... alpha-fetoprotein is a fetal protein, so it's likely related to a type of cancer that originates from fetal or embryonic tissue. I'm going to start by considering germ cell tumors.
BO
Bok
9 months ago
Hmm, this seems like a question about tumor markers. I'll need to think through the different types of tumors and their associated biomarkers.
AR
Arthur
3 months ago
Definitely, AFP is a key marker for liver tumors.
TE
Tegan
3 months ago
Yeah, I think that's right!
CE
Cecil
3 months ago
Is it hepatocellular carcinoma?