[Occupationally-induced liver damage--vinyl chloride-induced angiosarcoma]

A 45-year-old chemical worker (exposure to vinyl chloride: 500-1612 mg VC/m3 over 248 months) fell ill with a haemangiosarcoma of the liver. This is the first case observed in workers exposed to VC in East Germany. We did not succeed in making the definite histological diagnosis until after the patient's death. The first pathological findings were revealed through the increase in the gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, through sonography and computer tomography of the liver. Numerous tumor biopsies produced either no material or healthy liver tissue, which led to difficulties in therapy. The only chance of effective treatment is an early liver transplantation.