Limitation of liver function tests in metastatic carcinoid tumors
To evaluate the utility of liver function tests (LFT) as indicators of metastatic carcinoid tumors, a retrospective study was performed. The LFT results of 17 patients with carcinoid tumors metastatic to the liver were compared with 17 patients with other malignant tumors. In the noncarcinoid group, 82.4% of the patients had elevated alkaline phosphatase (AP) or gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), whereas only 28.6% of carcinoid patients had abnormal enzymes. The medians of all LFT values were significantly higher in noncarcinoid patients than in the carcinoid group, except for glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). Our data indicate that LFT are helpful in screening for liver metastases in patients with noncarcinoid tumors, but are unreliable in carcinoid tumors. Imaging tests should be used to rule out liver metastases in carcinoid tumors, irrespective of LFT results.
- Research Organization:
- Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, TN
- OSTI ID:
- 6596269
- Journal Information:
- Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States), Journal Name: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States) Vol. 7; ISSN CANCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
CT detection of primary and metastatic ileal carcinoid tumor: rates of missed findings and associated delay in clinical diagnosis
Role of bone and liver scans in surveying patients with breast cancer for metastatic disease
Related Subjects
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
BODY
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSIS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
FEDERAL REGION IV
GLANDS
HYDROLASES
LIVER
METASTASES
NEOPLASMS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PEPTIDE HYDROLASES
PHOSPHATASES
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
TENNESSEE
USA