Serum enzymes in disease.XIV. Abnormality of levels of transaminases and glycolytic and oxidative enzymes and of liver functions as related to the extent of metastatic carcinoma of the liver

LIVERV function have been applied as an aid to the recognition of metastatic carcinoma of the 80 Previous studies have shown that elevated serum alkaline phosphatase values and impaired sulfobromophthalein (BSP) excretion are relatively sensitive reflections of this letic specificity of impairment of BSP excretion may be questioned, since abnormal results have been observed in patients with a variety of hepatic and nonhepatic di~eases.~5*a3, 5~ b8* 80 Elevated alkaline phosphatase values reflect hepatic involvement somewhat less sensitively, but are considered more specific for the lesion, in the absence of bone disease.14*20*22*44It is well known that normal values with both procedures may be observed in patients with a few small metastatic focuses, and that abnormal results with both are usual in patients with marked metastatic involvement.Recent studies have included the determination of levels of various serum enzymes as an aid to the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma of glutamic oxalacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GOT and GPT) levels of the serum have been found to be elevated in patients with hepatic metastases: but the sensitivity liver.10,14.1% 20, 22