PLASMA PREKALLIKREIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMAAND LIVER-CIRRHOSIS - A PILOT-STUDY

The concentration of plasma prekallikrein (PK) in five patients with h epatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been measured and related to levels in 18 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 30 healthy subjects. It w as found that the mean PK level was significantly increased in patient s with HCC, while patients with LC demonstrated lower concentrations, as compared with healthy subjects. The results indicate that PK might be useful in.screening cirrhotic patients for HCC. Longitudinal studie s of PK in a larger group of patients at risk of developing HCC are th erefore recommended.