English

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. Hepatic metastasis occurs in 40-50% of adult patients with extrahepatic primary malignancies. The levels of enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) are deranged in pathological conditions. AIM: To study and compare the serum enzymes Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in cases of hepatobiliary carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: 30 patients diagnosed with heptobiliary carcinoma were enrolled for the study and 50 healthy individuals of matched age and sex served as controls. Serum Leucine Aminopeptidase (LAP), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma-glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) were determined and compared in study and control groups. RESULTS: The mean levels of serum ALP, GGT and LAP in the study group were 786.3±465.05 IU/L, 193.3±116.73 IU/L and 96.86±34.74 IU/L respectively. These values were significantly higher than in the control groups. Serum LAP showed abnormal levels in maximum number of cases (93.3%) followed by serum GGT in 83.3% and serum ALP in 76.6% cases. ALP, GGT and LAP levels were significantly higher in icteric and nonicteric groups as compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ALP, GGT and LAP were significantly elevated in the patients with hepatobiliary carcinoma and the elevations were significantly higher in icteric as compared to nonicteric groups. Serum LAP is a better indicator of hepatobiliary carcinoma.