Serum enzymes in colorectal cancer

Abstract

A study of the value of serum enzymes in 184 patients with colorectal cancer has been performed. The enzymes studied were γ glutamyltransferase (γGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT), glutathione reductase (GR), alanine and aspartate transaminases. In patients without liver metastases, elevated enzyme levels were found in 11-55% preoperatively. 5′-NT showed the least number of elevated activities, while γGT activities were increased in 29% and LDH in 55%. The percentage of elevated enzyme levels rose significantly in the early postoperative period. Patients with liver metastases showed increased enzyme activities in 40-60% preoperatively; γGT was the most sensitive indicator. Increased enzyme activity was related to the degree of liver involvement with secondary tumor. With extensive liver metastases, γGT levels were increased in 82%. It is concluded that serum enzymes are of limited value in the preoperative detection of liver metastases, and particularly when tumor involvement of the liver is small.