Liver cancer is a malignant tumor that has a serious impact on global public health. One of the important biomarkers is alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is commonly used to screen and diagnose liver cancer. However, whether elevated AFP predicts the progression of liver cancer has always been a topic of concern for clinicians and patients. This article examines the association between AFP and liver cancer progression and its value in the diagnosis and development of liver cancer.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced in the fetus that usually decreases and disappears after birth. However, in some malignancies, such as liver cancer, AFP levels may be abnormally elevated. This is because tumor cells in the liver abnormally express and secrete AFP. Therefore, the elevated AFP level is one of the important bases for clinical diagnosis of liver cancer.
However, not all elevated AFP means liver cancer. Some other diseases, such as viral hepatitis and cirrhosis, may also cause an increase in AFP. In addition, rarely, elevated AFP may occur in people without established liver disease. Therefore, an elevated AFP does not necessarily mean that liver cancer is present, and a comprehensive analysis of clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, and other laboratory test results is required.
Some experts believe that fluctuations in AFP levels may be due to factors such as dynamic changes in tumor cells, angiogenesis within tumors, and changes in the tumor immune microenvironment. Therefore, elevated AFP may only be a concomitant phenomenon in the progression or ** process of liver cancer, but not **.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is one of the important biomarkers for diagnosing liver cancer, but its elevation does not necessarily predict the progression of liver cancer. In clinical practice, doctors need to conduct a comprehensive analysis based on the patient's clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, and other laboratory test results to accurately assess the condition. Although changes in AFP levels may be related to the progression of liver cancer and**, the exact causal relationship remains to be confirmed by further studies. Future research should focus on the role of AFP in the diagnosis,** and prognosis of liver cancer to better guide clinical practice.