ABSTRACT
The observed effect of hepatocellualr carcinoma on the fibrinolytic system is contradictory. This lead us to study the changes in fibrinolytic activity in 13 patients of hepatoma compared to 10 controls. Our patients especially the group with evidence of liver cirrhosis showed significant; hypofibrinogenaemia, increase in fibrinogen degradation products [FOPs], prolongation of prothrombin and thrombin time and overall reduction in prothrombin concentration. In addition there was also significant thrombocytopaenia. Such alterations favor the assumption of increased fibrinolysis and/or dissiminated intravascualr coagulation which are important factors in th pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the haemorrhagic diasthesis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma