Which tumor marker is associated with hepatocellular cancer?

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the tumor marker most commonly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most prevalent type of liver cancer. AFP is a glycoprotein that is typically produced in the liver and yolk sac of an embryo. In adults, elevated levels of AFP can indicate liver pathology, particularly HCC or germ cell tumors.

In patients with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, monitoring AFP levels can be critical for early detection of liver cancer. While other tumor markers like CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), PSA (prostate-specific antigen), and CA 19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19-9) have their respective associations with other cancers (such as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer), none are specifically linked to hepatocellular carcinoma in the way that AFP is. This specificity makes AFP a vital parameter in the diagnosis and surveillance of liver cancer.