[Diagnosis experiences in 188 patients with primary liver cancer]

In Austria primary carcinoma of the liver (plc) is no rare malignancy. From 1973 and 1979, in our department, 188 patients with plc had been registered. By separate evaluation of the results of alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP)-determination and 67-gallium-liverscintigraphy, a diagnostic accuracy of 81.6%, resp. 78. % could be demonstrated. By combination of both methods, a correct diagnosis of plc was obtained in 95%. Based on the promising results of lobectomies performed in patients with plc, therapeutic nihilism is not longer justifiable.