Hematological, biochemical and bone scan findings in patients with marrow carcinoma.

The peripheral blood hematological and biochemical parameters in 60 patients with marrow involvement with carcinoma are described. In all patients the hematologic findings were of anemia (46%), thrombocytopenia (36%), leukocytosis (28%) and leukoerythroblastosis (22%). Elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (sLDH) and alkaline phosphatase (sALP) occurred in 78% of patients and hypercalcemia in 28% and these abnormal biochemical parameters occurred more frequently with marrow fibrosis. In patients with small cell carcinoma of lung (SCCL) the sLDH was normal in 24% and sALP in 32% and abnormal hematological findings or a raised sLDH occurred more frequently with liver involvement. Bone scan was positive in 49% of patients and the hematological and biochemical parameters in these patients were similar to those of patients with a normal scan. Ten percent of patients with SCCL and marrow involvement had both a normal sLDH and bone scan.