AFP serves as a tumor biomarker for which types of cancers?

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is primarily associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a common type of liver cancer, and with germ cell tumors, often seen in the testes and ovaries. Elevated levels of AFP in the blood can indicate the presence of these cancers, making it a valuable tumor marker in clinical practice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma often produces high levels of AFP, and it's utilized both for diagnosis and for monitoring the response to treatment. Similarly, certain germ cell tumors, particularly non-seminomatous types such as embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumors, can also secrete AFP, which makes this biomarker critical in managing these conditions.

In contrast, while ovarian, colon, breast, pancreatic, prostate, and lung cancers have their own relevant tumor markers, they do not typically associate with AFP. Therefore, the correct identification of AFP as a biomarker specifically indicates its relevance to hepatocellular carcinoma and germ cell tumors.