Primary liver cancer in the Transvaal

The clinical picture of 60 cases of primary liver cancer is reported. Distended abdominal veins found in a substantial number of cases, often point to collateral circulation due to a membrane in the inferior vena cava (budd-Chiari syndrome). Alpha-foetoprotein, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase were the only reliable laboratory pointers to the disease. Ultrasound study proved to be very helpful. Thrombocytopenia was found in 5 out of 12 of our patients.