THYROXINE-BINDING GLOBULIN AND THYROID-HORMONES AFTER RESECTION OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

Some human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) produce thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). High serum TBG levels in such patients may be associat ed with increased thyroxine (T-4) levels. This study aimed to elucidat e the serum TBG and thyroid hormone profile in Japanese patients with HCC, to compare the difference between TBG-producing and -nonproducing HCCs, and to investigate the changes in serum TBG level and the thyro id hormone profile after removal of the tumor. Methods: The 40 subject s included 20 patients with HCC, 10 healthy controls, and 10 operative controls. Serum TBG, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T-3), T-4, and free T-4 were measured serially for 4 wk after resection of HCC in 16 patients and after control operations in 10 patients. Assay methods were a rad ioimmunoassay for TBG and enzyme immunoassays for T-3, T-4, and free T -4. Results: Values higher than the mean +/- 2 SD of controls were con sidered abnormally high. Of patients with HCC, 60% had abnormally high TBG values, 65% had abnormally high T-3 values, 39% had abnormally hi gh T-4 values, and 6% had abnormally high free T-4 values. The mean le vels of TBG and T, were significantly higher than those in healthy con trols, but no difference was found for T-4 and free T-4 levels. There were no significant differences in various clinicopathological factors between patients with high TBG levels and those with normal TBG level s. After resection of HCC, serum TBG decreased significantly in patien ts with high TBG levels but not in those with normal TBG levels. Concl usions: This study shows that >50% of HCCs in Japanese patients produc e TBG; removal of the tumor reduces serum TBG in such cases.