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The authors have presented their observations in 108 pathologically processed cases of primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC). The material includes the period from 1962 to 1990. The most frequent form of PHC was hepatocellular (67.5%), the cholangiocellular (29.5%) and rarest, the mixed hepato-cholangiocellular form (2.9%). X-ray diagnostics were applied (celiacography, arteriography), laparoscopy, ultrasonography, aimed and blind aspirational biopsy, and laboratory examinations (alkaline phosphatase, transaminases, bilirubin, gamma-CT and so on). Somewhat more attention is given to the problem of HBV infection as the cause of primary hepatic carcinoma development. Pre-existing liver tissue diseases are also pleaded for (chronic aggressive hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, ect.). Beside the many diagnostic procedures, the diagnosis of primary hepatic carcinoma is usually established too late, and the therapy still remains unsatisfactory.

The authors presented a patient with primary gastric cancer and liver metastases. They permanently observed the AFP concentrations before, during and after cytostatic therapy. At the same time they examined possible sites of AFP production. It is supposed that AFP neo-synthesis takes place in the secondary site with participation of altered liver cells. In such cases it is important to watch the AFP values, and this is also necessary when the primary source of the secondary liver cancer is not known. Cytostatic drugs act only in a palliative way i.e. AFP concentrations drop to a lower level and the patient feels temporarily better.