alpha-fetoprotein

noun

al·​pha-fe·​to·​pro·​tein ˌal-fə-ˌfē-tō-ˈprō-ˌtēn 

-ˈprō-tē-ən

: a fetal blood protein present abnormally in adults with some cancers (as of the liver) and normally in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women with high or low levels tending to be associated with certain birth defects (such as spina bifida or Down syndrome)

Examples of alpha-fetoprotein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These may include high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or alpha-fetoprotein in the blood, or severe morning sickness. —Pamela Prindle Fierro, Parents, 22 July 2024

The most popular existing liver cancer blood test, alpha-fetoprotein, achieved a score of 0.816. —Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 9 Oct. 2017

Of the liver cancer patients in the study, 40 percent had a normal level of alpha-fetoprotein, the study stated. —Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 9 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

alpha-fetoprotein

noun

variants or α-fetoprotein or chiefly British alpha-foetoprotein or α-foetoprotein

: a fetal blood protein present abnormally in adults with some forms of cancer (as of the liver) and normally in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women but with very low levels tending to be associated with Down syndrome in the fetus and very high levels with neural tube defects (as spina bifida) in which the tube remains open