[Stauffer syndrome, paraneoplastic hepatic dysfunction syndrome associated with renal cell carcinoma (author's...

In two patients with renal cell carcinoma, the following biochemical changes were found independently of hepatic metastases: increased alkaline phosphatase activity, rise in bromsulfothalein retention, hypoalbuminemia, increase in alpha2-globulin, and prolonged prothrombin time (Stauffer syndrome). In both cases the syndrome was found to be the first sign of the renal cell carcinoma. In one patient liver function returned to normal after removal of the neoplasm, in correlation with the good recovery. In the other case the abnormal laboratory findings persisted after total renal surgery. Clinically, diffuse pulmonary metastases occurred. Both case histories show the high significance in knowing Stauffer syndrome and its value for early diagnosis and operative success.