title: Primary liver cancer in the Transvaal.
abstract: The clinical picture of 60 cases of primary liver cancer is reported. Distended abdominal veins found in a substantial number of cases, often point to collateral circulation due to a membrane in the inferior vena cava (budd-Chiari syndrome). Alpha-foetoprotein, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase were the only reliable laboratory pointers to the disease. Ultrasound study proved to be very helpful. Thrombocytopenia was found in 5 out of 12 of our patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013019:South Africa; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase