Erythrocytosis in hepatocellular cancer
Jacobson, R.J.; Lowenthal, M.N.; Kew, M.C.
South African Medical Journal 53(17): 658-660
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 209568 Document Number: 127271
A Black patient with hepatocellular cancer and an increased red cell mass (erythrocytosis) is described. Assay of the patient's serum in ex-hypoxic polycythaemic mice showed the presence of erythropoietic activity. To determine the incidence of erythrocytosis in Southern African Blacks with hepatocellular cancer, haemoglobin and haematocrit values in 117 such patients were reviewed. Four patients (3,4%) had haemoglobin levels above the upper limit of normal and 2 (1,7%) of the patients had raised haematocrit values. Fifty-eight per cent of the patients were anaemic when they were first seen.