[Biochemical parameters in the comprehensive diagnosis of lung cancer]

Biochemical characteristics of blood serum were studied in 310 patients with lung cancer (stage I-IV), 188 cases of non-malignant pathology od the lung and 35 healthy subjects. Mean levels of total sialic acids, lipid-bound sialic acids, neuron-specific enolase and lactate depydrogenase in blood serum of cancer patients were significantly higher than those in control groups. Mean neuron-specific enolase concentrations in small cell carcinoma of the lung were significantly higher than those in squamous cell and glandular carcinoma and carcinoid. Significant differences were observed for blood serum levels in cases of lung cancer disseminated to the liver and bones, as compared with those without distant metastases. Gamma-glutamyl transferase proced the most sensitive and specific when used for diagnosis of hepatic metastases, while alkaline phospohase--for bone metastases.