Evaluation of Alpha-Fetoprotein in Breast Cancer Patients in Nnewi North, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. It represents a major global public health concern due to its rising incidence, disease burden, and associated mortality. Breast cancer is not a single disease entity but rather a group of physiologically and molecularly heterogeneous disorders characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of breast epithelial cells. Although considerable progress has been made in early detection and therapeutic interventions, advanced breast cancer with distant metastasis remains largely incurable with currently available treatment modalities. In recent years, research efforts have focused on the identification of reliable biomarkers that can facilitate early diagnosis, improve prognostic evaluation, and enhance monitoring of treatment response. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a glycoprotein typically produced during fetal development, has been proposed as a potential tumor biomarker in several malignancies. However, available literature describing the relationship between AFP levels and breast cancer progression remains limited and inconclusive. Furthermore, there is a notable lack of data examining AFP as a biomarker among breast cancer patients in Nigeria, particularly within Anambra State and Nnewi North. This knowledge gap highlights the need for localized research to determine the clinical relevance of AFP in breast cancer management among Nigerian populations. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The specific objectives were to:
Determine and compare serum AFP levels between breast cancer patients and apparently healthy female control subjects. Assess the relationship between AFP levels and selected anthropometric parameters among breast cancer patients. Evaluate age-related variations in serum AFP levels among breast cancer patients and control individuals. Establish possible correlations between AFP levels and breast cancer occurrence and progression.