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Serum enzymes in colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Beck P. R.,
Belfield A.,
Spooner R. J.,
Blumgart L. H.,
Wood C. B.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197905)43:5<1772::aid-cncr2820430529>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , cancer , enzyme , oncology , biochemistry , chemistry
A study of the value of serum enzymes in 184 patients with colorectal cancer has been performed. The enzymes studied were γ glutamyltransferase (γGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 5′‐nucleotidase (5′‐NT), glutathione reductase (GR), alanine and aspartate transaminases. In patients without liver metastases, elevated enzyme levels were found in 11‐55% preoperatively. 5′‐NT showed the least number of elevated activities, while γGT activities were increased in 29% and LDH in 55%. The percentage of elevated enzyme levels rose significantly in the early postoperative period. Patients with liver metastases showed increased enzyme activities in 40‐60% preoperatively; γGT was the most sensitive indicator. Increased enzyme activity was related to the degree of liver involvement with secondary tumor. With extensive liver metastases, γGT levels were increased in 82%. It is concluded that serum enzymes are of limited value in the preoperative detection of liver metastases, and particularly when tumor involvement of the liver is small.