Journal article
Liver function studies in the assessment of head and neck cancer patients
Head & neck, Vol.17(6), pp.531-534
11/1995
DOI: 10.1002/hed.2880170611
PMID: 8847212
Abstract
Background. Serum liver function tests (LFTs) are used in the initial evaluation of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to evaluate hepatic function and to screen for liver metastases.
Methods. One hundred forty patients initially seen with SCC between 1988 and 1991 were followed for a minimum of 2 years to determine the significance of abnormal LFTs at presentation.
Results. Abnormal values were found in 69 patients (49%), including elevated alkaline phosphatase in 37 (26%) and lactic dehydrogenase in 25 (18%). Abnormal values were most commonly attributed to alcohol‐related liver disease. No liver metastases were identified at initial screening. LFTs were normal at presentation in all three patients subsequently identified with liver metastases during follow‐up.
Conclusions. Abnormal LFTs are commonly encountered but are of little value in identifying patients with liver metastases during initial assessment. Modest elevation of LFTs should not necessitate costly and time‐consuming investigation to exclude hepatic metastasis. © 1995 Jons Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Liver function studies in the assessment of head and neck cancer patients
- Creators
- Kurtis D KorverScott M GrahamHenry T HoffmanTimothy McCullochGerry F Funk
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Head & neck, Vol.17(6), pp.531-534
- Publisher
- Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company; New York
- DOI
- 10.1002/hed.2880170611
- PMID
- 8847212
- ISSN
- 1043-3074
- eISSN
- 1097-0347
- Number of pages
- 4
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/1995
- Academic Unit
- Radiation Oncology; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984006339702771
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