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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN TUMOR MARKER

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1712    Geisinger Epic ID:  6445

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Gold-top (serum separator) microcollection tube
Specimen required: 

1 mL of serum; minimum 0.5 mL.


Special notes: 

For maternal serum testing please order MSAFP.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Allow serum to clot. Centrifuge to separate serum within 2 hours of collection.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred) or frozen.


Specimen stability: 

Stable 14 days at 2-8°C, 3 months frozen..


Rejection criteria: 

Lipemic, icteric, or hemolyzed specimens or if stability limit has been exceeded.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

0-8.3 ng/mL.


Additional information: 

For maternal serum prenatal screen, please order maternal serum AFP.


CPT code(s):  82105
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Alpha-fetoprotein value in ng/mL.


Methodology: 
Roche Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay. Patient results determined by assays using different manufacturers or methods may not be comparable.
Synonyms: 

AFP, Tumor marker


Clinical significance: 

Elevated AFP levels have been observed in patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer. Serum AFP is frequently elevated in benign hepatic conditions such as acute viral hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. Conditions of pregnancy, ataxia, telangiectasia and hereditary tyrosinemia have also presented with elevated concentrations of AFP.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Review Date:  12/27/2024

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