Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a substance produced in the development of the embryo and fetus. Its concentration in the blood decreases rapidly after birth.
In oncology, it can serve as a marker for the presence and activity of some types of cancer in adults and children. AFP is usually measured in the blood but can also be measured in cerebrospinal fluid.
The measurement of alpha-fetoprotein plays an important role in fetal development, especially in the transport of certain nutrients and substances.
AFP in maternal blood is typically used as a marker for prenatal screenings, as well as to help identify possible anomalies in fetal development, such as Down syndrome.
