The diagnostic value of serum amylase determination for pancreatic disease has been questioned due to its lack of specificity. Several methods have been developed to separate the tissue-unspecific salivary fractions from the tissue-specific pancreatic fractions. Agarose or cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis are most suitable for clinical practice. The isoamylase patterns were studied by agarose electrophoresis in 55 patients with known pancreatic diseases (acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocysts, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and pancreatic carcinoma). Increased P-type isoamylase seems to be more sensitive than total amylase in diagnosing acute pancreatitis, while identification of the minor isoamylase P3 is more specific and could have a prognostic value. Detection of low P-type isoamylase levels is an easy method to diagnose exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Furthermore, a group of patients with pancreatic disease (Pa), was compared with a group of patients with biliary disease without clinical evidence of pancreatic involvement (Bi), and patients with abdominal pain, without evidence of biliary or pancreatic disease (Ab). More than half of the Bi patients presented with abnormal P isoenzyme patterns, whereas 72% of the Ab patients had a normal pattern. Only P3 could distinguish between the Bi and Ab group. This might point to pancreatic involvement in patients presenting with biliary disease, only detected by isoamylase analysis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

LH and progesterone in the menstrual cycle: further observations on the relationship with the length of the luteal phase.

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Corpus Luteum↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Problems involved in the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole.

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Adult↗

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Prolactin and colorectal cancer: is there a connection?

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to confirm the reported incidence of hyperprolactinemia in colorectal cancer and to find further evidence for an ectopic prolactin production by the tumor. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty two consecutive patients with an adenocarcinoma of the colon (n = 17) or the rectum (n = 15) were included. Preoperative serum prolactin concentrations were determined and correlated with CEA concentrations and tumor stages. To exclude an ectopic production by the colon cancer, prolactin concentrations were determined during the operation, in the peripheral blood and in the efferent venous drainage area of the tumor. After resection, immunohistochemical staining for prolactin was made in all resected tumors. RESULTS: In all except two patients with a rectal cancer, preoperative plasma prolactin concentrations were normal. Peroperative serum concentrations of prolactin were high in all patients. No significant gradient was found between the peripheral venous concentration and the local venous concentration in the drainage area of the tumor. Immunohistochemical staining for prolactin was positive in only one rectal cancer. Finally, no correlation was found between plasma prolactin concentrations and tumor stages or CEA concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the hypothesis of an ectopic prolactin production by colon adenocarcinoma. Only in a subgroup of rectal cancers, an ectopic prolactin production remains probable. At present, prolactin cannot be recommended as a tumor marker in colorectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗