[A comparison of serum phosphohexose isomerase and sialyl transferase activities in patients with malignant disease].

The diagnostic value of serum sialyl transferase, phosphohexose isomerase and lactate dehydrogenase determinations is discussed in respect to patients with malignant diseases. It was found that 80 % of the investigated cases showed an increase in serum sialyl transferase activity. Phosphohexose isomerase was elevated in 46.6 % and lactate dehydrogenase in 23.3% of the cases. The serum sialyl transferase activity was within the normal range in 13.3% of the patients. It is concluded that although the serum sialyl transferase activity is of great diagnostic significance in cases of suspected malignancy, total reliance cannot be placed on the determination of this sole parameter, but only in conjunction with others.