PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

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Which of the following conditions does alpha-fetoprotein help to indicate?

Chronic pancreatitis
Hepatoma (Hepatocellular carcinoma)
Cirrhosis
Cholecystitis

The correct answer is: Hepatoma (Hepatocellular carcinoma)

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is produced primarily by the liver and yolk sac of a developing fetus. In adults, elevated levels of AFP can be a significant marker for certain liver conditions, particularly hepatoma, which is another term for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The use of AFP as a tumor marker is well established in clinical practice for diagnosing and monitoring liver cancer. In the context of hepatoma, elevated AFP levels can indicate the presence of malignant liver cells and can be particularly useful in individuals with underlying liver disease such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, which increases the risk for developing HCC. Therefore, elevated levels of AFP can help practitioners make appropriate decisions regarding further diagnostic imaging or biopsies, as well as guide treatment options based on the presence of cancer. While other conditions like cirrhosis and chronic liver disease can also lead to mild elevations in AFP levels, the significant association between elevated AFP and hepatoma makes it the prime condition indicated by this biomarker.