Abnormalities in liver function tests in a group of patients with breast and gall bladder carcinoma

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the clinical usefulness of liver function tests particulary gamma glutamyl-transferase enzyme [GGT EC 2.3.2.2.], total alkaline phosphatase enzyme [ALP EC 3,1,2,1] and 5-nucleotidase enzyme [5NT EC 3.1.3.5] as indicators of liver metastases in 44 breast cancer patients and 6 gall baldder cancer patients. The results of the activity of the three enzymes in 50 healthy controls were also compared. Preoperative imaging investigations when carried were also compared with enzymes values. The result from this study suggest that GGT is the most sensitive [90.9%] and specific [82.35%] enzyme in the diagnosis of liver involvement. While ALP is less sensitive [84.37%] and less specific [70,58%]. 5-Nucleotidase was not as good as GGT or ALP. We can conclude that an increase of GGT in patients known to have breast or gall bladder cancer would raise a high index of suspescion of liver metastases. This may lead to more cost effective use of further confirmatory tests i.e. imaging or laparoscopic guided biopsy to establish the diagnosis and the extent of the disease