Biomarker Resource Center
Liver Cancer Biomarkers
Reviewed by XpertPatient Medical Advisory · Updated August 2026 · Primary Source: cancer.gov
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What Is a Biomarker — and Why Does It Matter for Your Treatment?
A biomarker in liver cancer is usually a protein released into your blood by cancer cells. The main one is called AFP. When liver cancer is present, AFP levels often rise.
Think of it like a clue. Your doctor collects clues from your biomarker test results. Those clues help build a picture of your cancer. That picture helps you have a more informed conversation with your care team about next steps.
How a Biomarker Test Works
A biomarker is a signal your cancer leaves behind. Your doctor finds it through a biopsy or blood test, reads your results, and uses them to choose the treatment most likely to work for your specific tumor.
Why Do Biomarkers Matter in Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is often monitored through blood tests. AFP is your doctor’s main window into how active the disease is and whether treatment is working. Tracking it over time is one of the most important parts of your care.
The most important liver cancer biomarker is AFP, a protein measurable in your blood. Together with imaging, it helps your doctor monitor your cancer and assess how it is responding over time.
A good question to ask your doctor: Ask your doctor what your AFP level is and how it will be tracked throughout your care.
Quick Poll
Have you been biomarker tested?
AFP tracking is your doctor’s main tool for monitoring your liver cancer and how it is responding to treatment.
Source: DaCosta Byfield et al., JAMA Network Open, July 2025 · overall advanced cancer biomarker testing rate (n=26,311) · jamanetwork.com
The Tests Your Doctor May Order
Is a protein made by liver cancer cells high in your blood?
AFP is the main liver cancer blood marker. A falling AFP during treatment is usually a sign treatment is working. About 30% of liver cancers do not produce AFP, so imaging is always done alongside it. Ask your doctor what your AFP level means.
Are additional blood markers helping complete the picture?
AFP-L3 and DCP are additional markers sometimes used alongside AFP. Ask your doctor whether these have been measured and what your results mean.
Are you on a regular monitoring schedule?
If you have cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, regular AFP testing with liver ultrasound every 6 months is recommended. This can catch liver cancer earlier. Ask your doctor whether you are on a surveillance plan.
Sources: National Cancer Institute · American Liver Foundation · American Cancer Society
Watch & Learn
Common Questions
Liver Cancer Biomarkers — Your Questions Answered
What is a normal AFP level?
AFP levels vary. Your doctor will explain what your specific level means in the context of your overall situation. Ask your doctor to walk you through your AFP result.
How is AFP used for monitoring?
AFP is commonly checked at regular intervals. Ask your doctor how often it will be checked and what changes to look for.
What if my AFP is not elevated?
About 30% of liver cancers do not produce AFP. If this applies to you, your doctor will use imaging and other markers instead.
Is there a patient support community?
Yes. The American Liver Foundation at liverfoundation.org and Liver Cancer Connect are trusted resources.
Knowledge Check
Test what you’ve learned
Three quick questions to help you feel more confident talking with your care team.
What does AFP measure?
Based on what you just read, what is AFP?
What does a falling AFP during treatment usually mean?
Based on what you just read, what does it mean when AFP goes down during treatment?
Can liver cancer be present even when AFP is normal?
Based on what you just read, what percentage of liver cancers do not produce AFP?
Keep these in mind for your next appointment.
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