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How Can Alpha Fetoprotein Levels Be Reduced?

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Posted on Sun, 20 May 2012
Question: Dear Sir,
Patient AGE 72, HT-5FT6in,wt-67 CT SCAN STUDY REVEALS. IMAGING FEATURES SUGGESTIVE OF MULTIFOCAL PRIMARY MALIGNANT NEOPLASTIC PROCESS INVOLVING THE LIVER PARENCHYMA-MULTIFOCAL HCC (HEPATO CELLULAR CARCINOMA) SEEMS MOST LIKELY. BACKGROUND CHANGES OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS ARE SEEN. GALL BLADDER EXHIBITS HIGH DENSITY SLUDGE TINY CALCULI,MILD PROSTATOMEGALY WITH DETRUSOR HYPERTROPHY AND SMAL VENTRAL UMBILICAL HERNIA ARE SEEN.
ALPHA FETO PROTEIN = 338.84 , 564.51 , 636.32 HOW CAN WE BRING DOWN ALPHA FETO PROTEIN LEVELS?
doctor
Answered by Dr. J. Krueger (21 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Since CT SCAN STUDY REVEALS " MULTIFOCAL PRIMARY MALIGNANT NEOPLASTIC PROCESS INVOLVING THE LIVER PARENCHYMA-MULTIFOCAL HCC (HEPATO CELLULAR CARCINOMA) " indicates pathological liver changes and likely chances of a hepatocellular carcinoma.

This needs a confirmatory diagnosis,for which you must have a biopsy of the liver which would confirm hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma produces increased levels of alphafetoprotein(AFP).The levels of AFP can be brought down if the tumor cell growth is controlled. There is no drug so far, which would directly decrease the AFP levels.

Sorafenib tosylate (Nexavar), an oral medicine that blocks tumor growth, is now approved for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.This would help in control of the tumor as well as bring down AFP levels.

You could discuss taking this drug with your personal Physician.

Hope this answers your query,I am available for follow ups as well.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. J. Krueger

Oncologist, Radiation

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 8 Questions

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How Can Alpha Fetoprotein Levels Be Reduced?

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Since CT SCAN STUDY REVEALS " MULTIFOCAL PRIMARY MALIGNANT NEOPLASTIC PROCESS INVOLVING THE LIVER PARENCHYMA-MULTIFOCAL HCC (HEPATO CELLULAR CARCINOMA) " indicates pathological liver changes and likely chances of a hepatocellular carcinoma.

This needs a confirmatory diagnosis,for which you must have a biopsy of the liver which would confirm hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma produces increased levels of alphafetoprotein(AFP).The levels of AFP can be brought down if the tumor cell growth is controlled. There is no drug so far, which would directly decrease the AFP levels.

Sorafenib tosylate (Nexavar), an oral medicine that blocks tumor growth, is now approved for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.This would help in control of the tumor as well as bring down AFP levels.

You could discuss taking this drug with your personal Physician.

Hope this answers your query,I am available for follow ups as well.