In order to observe the influence of carcinoma uteri on the liver, the measurement of plasma fibrinogen content by SCHULZ´s method and some other liver function tests have been conducted in a series of 37 patients with cervical and corporeal carcinoma.
(1) The maintenance of normal level of fibrinogen in the blood depends upon the function of the liver. Destruction of the liver tissue, either by diseases or through the effects of poisons such as chloroform or phosphorus, leads to an impairment inducing ´the production of fibrinogen and result in a sharp fall of its level in the blood. On the contrary, a sufficiently small dose of liver poisons may exert an irritant or stimulating effect on the liver and cause a definite rise in amount of the blood fibrinogen.
Thirty-two patients with cervical carcinoma showed increase of plasma fibrinogen except for the patients of the 4th stage.
This indicates the abnormal function of the liver.
(2) It seems that the decrease in plasma fibrinogen content in 5 patients with the 4th stage of cervical carcinoma might suggest far advanced damage of the liver.
(3) Since the functional disturbance of the liver aggravates the the general condition of the patients with uterine carcinoma, it might be necessary to to ke good care of the liver from the therapeutic view point in the earlier stage.
(4) Out of the several results of the liver function tests some showed moderate disturbance end others were almost within normal limit But even in the latter case marked increase in plasma fibrinogen level was observed.
This indicates that the liver function test by means of measurement of plasma fibrinogen level in the cervical carcinoma patients is a method of choice and its clinical usefulness seems to be great.
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