SERUM PHOSPHATASE IN THE LYMPHOMATOID DISEASES

Abstract

Serum phosphatase studies were made on 115 patients with lymphomatoid disease. Serial observations were made on some of these patients over periods up to 2 yrs. The alkaline serum phosphatase was frequently elevated in Hodgkin''s disease, but less often in lymphosarcoma and the leukemias. Abnormalities in the acid serum phosphatase were not found. Elevated serum phosphatase values occurred in many patients having symptoms referable to the bones although no bone changes were demonstrable roentgenographically. Some of these patients later developed demonstrable lesions. Bone changes probably occur much more frequently than the incidence of overt lesions indicates. Invasion by lymphomatoid tissue readily elicits a defence reaction on the part of the bones which causes an elevation in the serum phosphatase. The defense reaction may be sufficient to prevent the development of demonstrable lesions for long periods of time.