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HelpTest ID GAL1 GALAD Score, Serum
Specimen Required
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see HCCGS / Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Panel with GALAD Score, Serum.
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Secondary ID
606832Useful For
Calculation of the GALAD (gender, age, alpha-fetoprotein L3% [AFP-L3], AFP, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin) model score for hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic liver disease
Method Name
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see HCCGS / Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Panel with GALAD Score, Serum
Gender, Age, Alpha-fetoprotein L3% (AFP-L3), AFP, Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (GALAD) Model Score Calculation
Reporting Name
GALAD Model ScoreSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Refrigerated | 5 days |
Clinical Information
Biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), third electrophoretic form of lentil lectin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), and des-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP). The GALAD (gender, age, AFP-L3, AFP, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin) model combines these three biomarkers with the patient's gender and age to estimate the risk of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease based on the following equation: Z = -10.08 + 0.09 x age + 1.67 x sex + 2.34 log(10) (AFP) + 0.04 x AFP - L3 + 1.33 x log(10) (DCP), where sex = 1 for males, 0 for females.
The GALAD score is calculated using the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) when one or more of the following values are below the LLOQ: %L3, Total AFP, or Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin.. In the event this occurs, the GALAD score is resulted as (<)GALAD score.
The GALAD model has been demonstrated to have higher diagnostic accuracy for the detection of HCC when compared to the use AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP markers alone or in combination. The performance of the GALAD score has also been reported to be superior to ultrasound for HCC detection.
Reference Values
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see HCCGS / Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Panel with GALAD Score, Serum
Not applicable
Cautions
The total alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and AFP-L3% test values must be obtained using the uTASWako i30 in the GALAD (gender, age, AFP-L3, AFP, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin) score calculation.
Test results cannot be interpreted as absolute evidence for the presence or absence of malignant disease. Total AFP and AFP-L3% values are not interpretable during pregnancy for the investigation of malignant disease.
Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP)-producing tumors other than hepatocellular carcinoma can show elevated DCP values.
Medication containing vitamin K preparations may cause a negative bias with DCP values. Medication containing vitamin K antagonist or antibiotic may cause a positive bias with DCP values.
In rare cases, some individuals can develop antibodies to mouse or other animal antibodies (often referred to as human anti-mouse antibodies [HAMA] or heterophile antibodies), which may cause interference in some immunoassays. Caution should be used in interpretation of results, and the laboratory should be alerted if the result does not correlate with the clinical presentation.
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 4 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester