Elevated Alpha Feta Protein Blood Markers - Cancer Message Board

10-21-2007, 08:18 PM

I had Testicular CA back in 1993 and progressed through the removal of my left testicle, then four months of chemotherapy. Actually it was five full days in the hospital one week out of the month. Then on second and third weeks I'd have out patient chemo then have a week off and then start the whole procedure over again. In February of 1994 I had a lymph node re-section and have been cancer free for the last seventeen years.

Every year I have a visit to my urologist and have three blood tests and a chest X-Ray done prior to the visit. I went last Wednesday and the doctor told me my X-Ray was fine and two of the three blood tests were also within the normal boundaries. However my Alpha Feta Protein was at 1000. We had a re-test done that same day and today I called the office to get the results. The AFP count was now at 1311! Tomorrow I'm scheduled for a CT Scan of my abdomen and I assume all the other soft organs.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what other cancers are recognized through an AFP blood marker? I do not think I'm having a recurrence of the initial disease as I have none of the symptoms and feel in excellent health.

I have though been feeling "full" and bloated after consuming just modest sized meals and have had two instances where I experienced quite prolonged pain in the region from my sternum done into my lower abdomen. It felt like the cramps one might experience with food posioning. I looked up the symptoms of stomach cancer and these were listed as typical.

Should I be getting my affairs in order? I have no outward physical symptoms of any illness and feel great.

Any comments will be most appreciated. I should mention I'm 64 years old, a smoker and a mild consumer of alcohol. My father died of luekemia and my maternal grandfather died of stomach cancer.

Thanks in advance.

Believer63 · 10-22-2007, 07:43 AM

Your AFP numbers are quite high but how aboit your HCG? These are usually done together. Remember that elevated AFP is only a suggestion that something is wrong, not a diagnosis. Other than testicular cancer, elevated AFP may also indicate a malignant teratoma somewhere. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort then the CT scan will tell you what's happening. Remember that the testicles are connected to organs in your lower abdomen so a recurrence is possible - specially if you had NON SEMINOMA cancer - which I assume you did given the fact that you had a RPLND and chemo treatments. As a usual diagnosis for "younger men", you were quite "late" to have been diagnosed with TC at 50, although I was recently diagnosed myself at 44, so it's not unheard of.

Hope everything turns out OK for you and let us know what the CT shows....

the.dragonfly · 10-22-2007, 11:50 AM

Hello Wbranch_1,

I want to answer your question as best as I can... The symptoms that you have could be a number of things, but the fact that your grandfather died of stomach cancer is one that triggered my uncomfortable feeling... I also must ask... were you ever in the Armed Forces? Did you happen to be in Vietnam by any chance?

My father (now 63) was diagnosed over 5 years ago with terminal stomach cancer. It had spread some, but luckily not to his lymph nodes. He was diagnosed in December of 2001 and went into surgery 2 weeks later to have his entire stomach removed and part of this intestine and esophagus. They didn't know how long he would be able to survive and gave him 6 months. As his only daughter and one that grew up with him alone... I was devestated... he was the one that taught me the power of positive thinking... and luckily.. he not only taught me.. he practiced it as well.

The healing process took a very long time, there were definately ups and downs however...
He is still alive and actually working... still... to this day... it has been unbelievable. It isn't easy for him, but he has been able to eat orally some everyday... they had created a small pouch like spot that is only approximately 5 ounces, but over time they hoped it could become a little bigger. So he eats little, but is tube fed everyday at home. He is alive and it's amazing, but with a positive mind, and a desire to live on... he has and you can too.

Please let me know if you were in Vietnam... I have additional information for you if that is the case.

I wish you well and hope you keep us posted.

Tori's Mom · 10-22-2007, 10:20 PM

Hi. My 4 year old daughter gets her AFP checked every month. In May of 2006, she was diagnoised with liver cancer that spread to her lungs. Her AFP at the time was 240,000. After surgery & 6 months of chemo, it is now usually around 6.4. For her, anything below 9 is good. I'm sure it's different in adults though. I'll be praying for you. Tori's Mom