Which liver tumor marker is used for hepatocellular carcinoma in nonpregnant adults?

Which liver tumor marker is used for hepatocellular carcinoma in nonpregnant adults?

• A. AST
• B. ALT
• C. AFP
• D. ALP

Answer: (C)

Alpha-fetoprotein is the serum marker most closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in nonpregnant adults. AFP is produced by the fetal liver, so it stays low in healthy adults, but it can be elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma (and in some germ cell tumors or other liver diseases). In people with risk factors such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B/C, measuring AFP alongside imaging helps support a diagnosis and monitor response to therapy. However, AFP alone isn’t perfect—some HCCs don’t raise AFP, and AFP can be elevated in pregnancy or other liver conditions. The other options are not tumor markers for HCC. AST and ALT are liver enzymes that rise with hepatocellular injury but do not indicate cancer specifically. ALP is associated with cholestasis or bone turnover and likewise isn’t a marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Alpha-fetoprotein is the serum marker most closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in nonpregnant adults. AFP is produced by the fetal liver, so it stays low in healthy adults, but it can be elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma (and in some germ cell tumors or other liver diseases). In people with risk factors such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B/C, measuring AFP alongside imaging helps support a diagnosis and monitor response to therapy. However, AFP alone isn’t perfect—some HCCs don’t raise AFP, and AFP can be elevated in pregnancy or other liver conditions.

The other options are not tumor markers for HCC. AST and ALT are liver enzymes that rise with hepatocellular injury but do not indicate cancer specifically. ALP is associated with cholestasis or bone turnover and likewise isn’t a marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.