a fetoprotein

A protein normally produced during the 12th to 15th week of gestation, decreasing thereafter, but appearing in the blood in certain tumours, such as embryonal carcinomas of the testis and ovary, hepatoma, and less often in patients with carcinomas of the pancreas, stomach, colon, or lung. When present, a useful marker in following the course of a tumour.

(05 Mar 2000)


Terms mentioned in text: protein, gestation, decreasing, thereafter, blood, tumours, embryonal carcinomas, testis, ovary, hepatoma, less, patients, carcinomas, pancreas, stomach, colon, lung, present, marker, following, course
Previous terms: a-exotropia, af, af1 deamidase, a-factor, afb, afc, afebrile, affect, affect displacement, affect display, affected, affect hunger