METABOLIC STUDIES IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. II. HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

Patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract show a very high incidence of hepatic dysfunction. The incidence of hepatic dysfunction is considerably less in patients who have had cancer of the gastrointestinal tract removed surgically. The incidence of hepatic dysfunction is considerably less in patients with such lesions as atrophic gastritis and leuko-plakia of the oral mucous membranes. The existence of hepatic dysfunction in patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract is especially important because of the augmented hazard it imposes on their operative and postoperative course. Delayed wound healing, refractory anemia, hemolytic reactions to transfusion, hypoproteinemia and hypoprothrombinemia may all be associated with and possibly are due to liver insufficiency.