What is AFP an abbreviation for in the context of serum tumor markers?

In the context of serum tumor markers, AFP stands for Alpha-fetoprotein. This glycoprotein is produced primarily by the liver and yolk sac of a fetus during development and is typically found in very low levels in healthy adults. Elevated levels of AFP in the blood may indicate certain types of cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and germ cell tumors. The measurement of AFP is used in clinical practice as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for these cancers, making it significant in oncology.

Other options such as Adjusted-fractional protein, Accessed-fetal protein, and Aromatic-fetal protein do not correspond to any recognized markers or terminologies used in oncology. They lack relevance to clinical practices surrounding tumor markers and therefore do not accurately reflect the role of AFP in medical diagnostics.