Liver function tests in patients with computed tomography demonstrated hepatic metastases

One hundred patients with computed tomographic (CT) evidence of liver metastases (and confirmation by biopsy or progression of disease) had serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase measured within two weeks of scanning. All three enzymes were within the normal range in 33% of patients. Even with advanced involvement (defined as three or more metastatic lesions over 3 cm in diameter), 20% of patients had normal levels of all three liver enzymes. Although liver function tests (LFTs) (enzyme levels) are inexpensive and simple to perform, they failed to detect a significant number of patients with liver metastases.