1. Int J Cur Bio Med Sci. 2011; 1(4): 126 130 Contents lists available at CurrentSciDirect Publications International Journal of Current Biological and Medical Science CurrentSciDirect Journal homepage: www.currentscidirect.com PublicationOriginal ArticleHepatic Malignancy-A Challenge for Early Diagnosis aDr.Anil BattaaAssociate Professor, Dept of Medical Biochemistry,Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab, IndiaARTICLE INFO ABSTRACTKeywords: The liver is an organ in the abdomen which is necessarily to live. It is the main site of purineHepatocellular carcinoma base degradation and synthesis of nucleoproteins in liver is much greater than other tissues;BiopsyMetastasis this may be interpreted as an index of high rate of regeneration of parenchymal cells. The liverMRI has as a major blood supply the hepatic artery; hepatic vein collects blood from intestine. ThereClotting time is also a system of draining "lymph glands" around the liver which help to purify the blood.Transplantation These lymph glands ultimately drain back into the bloodstream via the "left thoracic duct"; they are important as they may serve as conduits for spread of cancer. Among its functions are purification of the blood, removing poisonous ammonia from proteins, detoxifying alcohol and drugs, controlling the bodys sugar and cholesterol balance, making bile to digest fats, forming clotting factors for the blood and generating new blood cells [1-3]. This myriad of functions makes clear why the liver is essential to life. The most common types of benign liver tumors are hemangiomas and adenomas The most common malignant liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinoma (80% of cases) also known as a hepatoma. Cholangiocarcinoma (15% of cases) arise from bile ducts in the liver as they proceed down toward the gallbladder. Bowel, lung, breast, bladder, prostate and esophagus cancers have particular propensities for liver spread. These comprise secondary carcinoma. c Copyright 2010 BioMedSciDirect Publications IJBMR -ISSN: 0976:6685. All rights reserved.1.Introduction1.1.Primary liver cancer Chemotherapy is occasionally used for inoperable tumours. Primary liver cancer can arise from the liver cells themselves SIRT Selective internal radiation therapy has an important place(hepatocellular carcinoma) or from the system of tubes that drains in treatment. Unfortunately, survival rates for primary liver cancerthe bile from the liver (cholangiocarcinoma, gall bladder cancer). are very low.Patients had suffered from chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or those who There are various factors which act as predisposing factorshave been exposed to poisons from plants (aflatoxins). called risk factors. These hasten the primary carcinoma: Surgical removal is the best option but these tumours are often 1. Chronic Hepatitis can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).too large and too extensive for surgery. Liver transplant may also be A) Hepatitis B Leads to 75% of liver cancer patients.an option. Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) or heating them B) Carcinogens (chemicals inducing cancer) such as aflatoxin.with electrodes (RFA radiofrequency ablation) can be done by 2. Cirrhosis of the liver --Causes of cirrhosis include:using needles passed through the skin or by using keyhole surgery. a) Alcoholism b) Hemochromatosisis c) Alpha1- antitrypsinA technique called TACE (transarterialchemoembolisation) can be deficiencyused for more advanced tumours. 3. Miscellaneous irritants The common thread to liver cancer risk factors is chronic irritation, which causes the cancer cells to * Corresponding Author : Dr.Anil Batta Associate Professor Biochemistry divide more quickly. Baba Farid Univ. of Health Sciences Faridkot--151203 Punjab India Phone No. 9855099831 E.mail: akbattafarid@yahoo.co.in c Copyright 2010 BioMedSciDirect Publications. All rights reserved.

2. Anil Batta / Int J Biol Med Res. 2011; 2(4): 126 130 1271.2.Secondary liver cancer 12. Other more exotic tests, such as bone scans, liver-spleen scans, When a cancer metastasizes from its original site to another or CT scans of the brain are only gotten if their are symptoms isarea of the body, it is termed metastatic cancer. Secondary these particular areas.(metastatic) cancer reaches the liver by spreading through the 13. The only way to absolutely diagnose any cancer is by getting is ablood system from a primary tumour at a separate site. Secondary biopsy of the tumor. 14. Fine-needle biopsy is safe and effective; itliver cancer is more difficult to treat than primary due to spread. is a very common procedure in hospital. It also tells spread ofMetastatic liver cancer is the most common cause of fatal liver cancer.disease. The treatment of metastatic cancer depends on where the 15. Gamma PET scan: a tool used in determining a prognosis forcancer started. About 5 percent of the time, metastases are metastatic liver cancer. 16. Extreme Drug Resistance test: EDR is adiscovered but the primary tumor cannot be identified. The highly accurate test for solid tumors to determine the probabilitytreatment of these metastases is dictated by their location rather of the tumors resistance to specific chemotherapy.than their origin. Intestine,breast, lung and lymphoma cancer arevery common [3-7]. 17. Percutaneous cryoablation is a very recent addition to the liver cancer treatment armamentarium.2.Important parameters to diagnose liver cancer include 2.1.Treatment1.ALT: Small amounts of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) are The management of hepatic malignancy is one of the mostnormally found in blood. When the liver is damaged, ALT is controversial areas in medicine. There can be followingreleased into the bloodstream. approaches.2.AST: AST (aspartate aminotransferase) Like ALT, AST is found 1. Systemic chemotherapy remains main stay of treatment.mainly in the liver but also in other parts of the body. AST and ALT 2. Conducting the operation by keyhole surgery is preferred overare usually measured together and are good indicators of liver conventional surgery.disease or damage. 3. Patients with limited cancer may benefit from chemotherapy3.ALP (alkaline phosphatase): Like ALT and AST, ALP leaks into the infused directly into the liver.bloodstream when liver cells are damaged. 4. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is an experimental technique.4.GGT: GGT refers to gamma-glutamyl transferase. High levels of 5. Hormone treatment is an additional option for patients withGGT are found in the liver, bile ducts, and the kidney. cancers of the breast or prostate that has spread to the liver. 6. Metastatic Liver Cancer Treatment through Cryotherapy5.5NTase: Higher levels of the enzyme 5NTase (5nucleotidase),also known as 5NT, in blood indicate a problem with bile secretion 3. Material and Method6.Albumin: Albumin is the major blood protein made by the liver. Present study included a total of sixty cases. Twenty casesIt can cause fluid retention in the ankles (edema), lungs, or comprised of normal healthy individuals without any evidence ofabdomen (ascites). Bilirubin; When the liver is diseased, bilirubin cancer of any part of body. They were mostly attendants andis increased leading to jaundice. PT test : The PT (prothrombin relatives of patients admitted to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala ortime) test. The PT test is used as a marker of advanced liver disease. coming along with the patients coming to OPD of the Hospital. TheyIt indicates blood-clotting problems where it is increased. were examined thoroughly and any hepatobiliary disease,Complete blood count (CBC): The complete blood count includes pregnancy and other factors related to rise in serum levels of 5NT,the following tests: White blood cell (WBC) count, Red blood cell ALP, AST, ALT, and Bilirubin were ruled out. For the tests, forty(RBC) count, Hematocrit (HCT, Anemia, Platelet count, AFP (alpha- patients suffering from clinically diagnosed cancer of any part offetoprotein), Iron, Creatinine the body admitted to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala or attending the7. There is a "tumor marker" to help diagnosis liver cancer. This is OPD of the hospital were taken. A detailed history was taken andalpha fetoprotein (AFP) In HCC patients, especially younger ones, examined thoroughly. All this was recorded on specialthe "alpha-fetoprotein" (AFP) blood test is elevated in over 50% proforma.Each case was investigated as under:but it may represent some other malignancy besides liver cancer. 3.1.Collection of blood8. Radiologic Tests, include standard Chest X-ray About 10 cc. of blood was collected by venepuncture using9. Ultrasound (US) remains useful for looking at the shape of the disposable syringe and needle was taken. It was allowed to clot atliver, identifying a tumor, and tracking the progress of therapy. A CT room temperature and then centrifuged at room temperature atscan is very accurate for detecting tumors larger than 1 cm. 3000 rpm for ten minutes to separate the serum. The serum was separated in dry test tube to carry out the following special tests as:10. CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) test, in someone with ahistory of bowel cancer. 1. Serum bilirubin by Malloy and Evelyn.11. MRI scan which uses no radiation shows the organs in the 2. Serum 5NucleotidaseMethod of Campbell (1962)abdomen very clearly and is excellent for showing local spread andimaging nearby lymph glands.

3. Anil Batta / Int J Biol Med Res. 2011; 2(4): 126 1301283. Serum alkaline phosphatasekind & King 1954 using variably.Anaemia was found in 75 % cases (>8G%).Abnormalaminoantipyrine. urine with bile salts, bile pigments and urobilinogen was found in 70% cases.4. Serum AST and ALTMethod of Reitman & Frankel, 1957.Later all the tests were carried out in a fully automated devices. Table.2 Age break up of hepatic malignancy and control GroupPurpose was to rule out any error and touch with traditionalmethods. Age of patient Groups Hepatic Control group in years according Malignancy4. Result to age group variations In the present study twenty healthy attendants of the patients Number Percentage Number Percentagewere examined for special tests as 5NT, ALP, AST, ALT,Bilirubin.This comprised the control group and comprised by 2035 Group--1 07 17 % 04 20 %attendants of patients without any evidence of cancer of any part ofthe body including liver. This was done to equilibrate 3650 Group2 13 32 % 05 25 %socioeconomic status and age. 5165 Group--3 12 31 % 06 30% Study cases were forty patients of clinically diagnosed >65 Group--4 08 20 % 05 25 %cancer.These were either attending OPD or admitted cases inwards of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. A detailed clinical examinationwas carried out as per plan already outlined under materials and Table 2 shows that majority of age group fall in above 50 years.methods. Diagnosis of these patients was made on the bases of Although there was equal chances of age group of 36 to 50 andclinical findings. more than 65 years of age. What we conclude here is that the1. Routine investigations as Hb, TLCDLC, and complete urine middle and upper age group was involved in majority. This findingexamination. strengthen the fact that as the age increases the chances of effect of2. FBS, blood urea, flocculation tests (as per varleys 1975) were predisposing factors like jaundice in the past,alcohol,drugscarried out. increases. This is to equilibrate with control group.3. Bleeding and clotting time were recorded. Table.3 Sex distribution of hepatic malignancy and control4. Complete examination of fresh urine was done in each case was casescarried out by standard methods. Group Total Male Female5. All the special investigations were carried out as per plan already Number Percentage Number Percentagementioned. Hepatic 40 24 60 16 40Table.1 Analysis of various biochemical parameters in control malignancygroup Control 20 14 70 06 30 Parameters Range Mean+ S.D Table 3 depicts the sex wise morbidity. Out of total 40 patients of 5 Nucleotidase 28 5.001.69 (IU/L) hepatic malignancy 60 % belonged were found out to be males while females were affected to the extent of 40 %.This is Alkaline phosphatases 310 6.422.19 understandable as all the predisposing were prominent in males. (KAU/100 cc.) The table 4 & Figure-1 allowed us to compare various Aspartate aminotransferase 412 7.552.42 biochemical parameters in hepatic malignancy and control group. (AST) (IU/L) It was found that in group 1 and group 2, the values of 5NT was Alanine aminotransferase 512 9.152.42 Significant. But in group 3 and group 4 there was marked rise in the (ALT) IU/L levels of 5NT.So age factor comes into picture which may be due to exposure to various predisposing factors with age. Along with this Serum bilirubin (mg %) 0.40.8 0.57 0.166 the average values of ALP was markedly raised. In this rise again there were glimpses of 5NT values following ALP values. The Table 1 depicts average values of serum 5NT,ALP,AST,ALT and increase in aminotransferase viz.AST/ALT level was again havingBilirubin level in control group .out of the control group 10% significant say in all cases of liver malignancy. Average values ofbelonged to upper middle class while rest of the patients belonged ALP showed very significant rise in all the cases of hepaticto lower uneducated class of laborers who were by and large malignancy. All the values followed 5NT particularly in cases ofalcohol and drug addicts. Diet factor also failed to make any impact clinical jaundice. Levels of aminotransferases showed samethou stray cases showed excessive fatty meals.75 % cases were pattern and were found this to be increased in cases where damagenon-vegetarian. Out of 40 cases of test 28 cases reported with to the liver was significant, jaundice was clinically exhibited. Theirclinical jaundice and they showed raised values of bilirubin

4. Anil Batta / Int J Biol Med Res. 2011; 2(4): 126 130 129average rise in serum bilirubin level was significant. This was particularly significantly high in patients having worse clinical condition where allthe other parameters were significant i.e. 5NT, ALT, AST, ALP. Serum 5NT levels when compared with serum levels of ALP, AST, ALT and bilirubinhad significant increase in level. But this was more so in age group 3 and 4.Table.4 Statistical relation of various biochemical parameters in the study group Group Number of 5NT ALP AST ALT Bilirubin patients Control (20) 20 5.01.69 6.422.19 7.552.42 9.152.42 0.57 0.166 (2--8) 310 4--12 5--12 0.40.8 Age group--1 07 17.325.87 12.236.98 15.326.34 15.654.09 2.870.9 2035 yrs. (5--13) (9--17) ( 15--21) (13--21) (1.982.98) Age group--2 13 24.436.87 26.435.78 31.655.64 19.874.98 4.872.76 3650 yrs. (923) (18-29) (31--39) (19--25) (4--8) Age group--3 12 294.90 294.21 33.674.08 21.053.98 9.875.23 5165 yrs. (1422) (16--34) (34--49) (22--28) (9--17) Age group--4 08 332.9 373.98 37.655.09 29.984.96 8.922.98 65 yrs. (2026) (26--40) (39--52) (29--36) (9--15) Age groupFigure-1(legends to be included)(not cited in article) 5. Discussion 5NT has an important place in differential diagnosis of liver malignancy of all age groups. In majority of cases the rise in level followed the jaundice and biliary obstruction. A number of cases has been seen where ALP of hepatic region was raised in cases of normal level of 5NT.It has been seen that ALP is released in blood with increased denovo synthesis of ALP. On the other hand 5NT levels are raised in cases of severe damage of liver. Both enzymes are found in bile canaliculi and in lipid membranes together. The details of release of these enzymes were not available but it is possible that this might be possible by splitting and solubilization by bile salts. Since these two enzymes reflect similar but not identical. So one can easily predict that serum concentration may not be parallel in any single patient. So they should not be usedFigure2(legends to be included) )(not cited in article) interchangeably e.g. ALP was found to be increased in pregnancy and bone disease in which 5NT levels were normal. This shows that 5NT level was more significant when compared with ALP. Elevation of aminotransferases was increased more in cases of damaged liver cells. This followed the rise in ALT|AST in case of ligation of bile duct. Their rise reflects leakage from damaged cells. But their level was not following the level of 5NT.They were raised in clinically positive cases of jaundice. As far as bilirubin level is concerned, it shows obstruction in bile canaliculi. To some extent it also follows aminotransferases where extensive liver damage is seen. But when compared with 5NT, rise in levels of 5NT was more significant

5. Anil Batta / Int J Biol Med Res. 2011; 2(4): 126 130130 It is evident from the present study that estimation of serum [4] Bose CK, Mukherjea M. Enzymatic t u m o u r m a r k e r s i n5NT levels in cases of hepatic malignancy are welcome addition if o v a r i a n c a n c e r: a multiparametric study. Cancer Lett.juxtaposed with other clinical findings. Data showed that 5NT is 1994;77 (1): 39-43.superior to ALP as far as bile duct obstruction is concerned. In all [5] Viot M, Thyss A., Ramaioh A, Cambon P,S c h n e i d e r M ,these cases it was superior in specificity and sensitivity as L a l a n ne C. M. C o m p a r a t i v e s t u d y o f gama-compared to ALP. While AST|ALT provided information about g l u t a m y l transferase, alkaline phosphatase and itshepatic cell damage, 5NT signifies bile duct obstruction or -Li s o z y m e a s b i o l o g i c a l i n d i c a t o r s o f l i v e rcholestasis. But used as a solitary index it doesnt measure up to metastasis. Clin Chim Acta.1981; 115: 349-358.expectations [5-8]. [6] Geeta Rathnakumar, Raste, A.S. Can 5- Nucleotidase6. Conclusion estimation be a predictor of liver metastasis? Ind.J. Cancer.2000; 37: 23 -27. Thus its concluded that enzyme 5 NT level in hepaticmalignancy cases contributes as an encouraging boost for [7] Giust i G. Adenosine deaminase. In: Methods ofdiagnosis if juxtaposed with other clinical and laboratory data. The Enzymatic Analysis. Ed: Bergmeyer, H.U. Academic Pressstudy delineates 5NT to be superior to ALP due to its sensitivity Inc., New York, 1974;20: 204-229.and specificity. But if used as a solitary index, it doesnt measure up [8] R a y m o n d JW, G w y n e Williams D. Colorimetricto expectations. determination of serum 5-NT without deproteinization. Clin Chem. 1981;27 (3): 464-465.7. References[1] Koizumi H, Iizuka H, Aoyag T, Miura Y. Characterization of adenosine deaminase from normal human epidermis and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1985; 84:199-202.[2] Borzenko BG. Use of the study of Enzymes metabolism enzyme activities as a test system in the treatment of breast cancer. Sov Med. 1991; 2, 14-17.[3] Eroglu A., Canbolat O, Demirci S, Kocaoglu H, Eryavuzm Y, Akgul H. Activities of adenosine deaminase and 5-NT in cancerous and non-cancerous human colorectal tissues. Med Oncol.2000; 17 (4): 319-324. c Copyright 2011. CurrentSciDirect Publications. IJCBMS - All rights reserved.