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Levels of iron, copper, and zinc in liver tissue and of copper in serum were studied in 53 cases of untreated malignant lymphoma (14 cases of Hodgkin's disease and 17 of lymphocytic and 22 of histiocytic lymphoma). The values were compared with the levels of these metals in the liver tissue of 23 healthy persons. Liver tissue was obtained by means of percutaneous biopsy examination with a Menghini needle. Part of the samples was used for histologic examination, and the remainder for metal level determination. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used in determining metal levels in dry liver tissue and in sera. In all malignant lymphoma patients, a significantly higher serum copper level was established (P < 0.05). A lower iron level in liver tissue was only found in those patients with lymphocytic lymphomas without a lymphomatous process in the liver (P < 0.05), while lymphomatous hepatic infiltration was associated with a higher iron level and lower copper level (P < 9.05). Significant changes in liver zinc levels were only proved by higher levels of this metal in patients with histiocytic lymphoma and lymphomatous hepatic infiltration (P < 0.05). The only redistribution of copper between the serum and liver tissue was found in those patients with lymphocytic lymphomas and lymphomatous hepatic infiltration.

The serum copper levels were investigated in 125 patients with solid tumors: 34 patients with bronchial cancer, 35 with gastric cancer, 31 with breast cancer and 25 with melanoma. Analysis showed that serum copper was extremely high in 82% of the patients with bronchial carcinoma, while in the other examined groups no significant changes were observed. According to these results, serum copper could be a diagnostic factor in patients with bronchial carcinoma.

The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and ferritine in malignant and tuberculous non-bloody pleural effusion. The etiology of diseases was determined by cytologic, histologic and microbiologic methods. CEA concentration above 5 ng/ml and ferritine concentration above 200 ng/ml were considered to be positive. There was significant difference in the value of CEA measured in malignant and in tuberculous pleural effusion (P < 0.005) as well as in the sera (P < 0.01) of these two groups. There was no correlation between concentration of CEA and ferritine in malignant pleural effusion. Ratio between CEA and ferritine in effusions and sera was of no help in discriminating malignant from tuberculous effusions. No correlation between examined markers and physical status of patients was observed. The sensitivity and specificity of CEA assay in malignant pleural effusion was 65% and 90%, respectively, and for ferritine 67% and 80%, respectively. A high correlation was observed between the CEA concentration in malignant pleural effusion and sera patients (r = 0.95). Combined sensitivity and specificity of CEA and ferritine was 65.9% and 85%. Bayes theorem was used to calculate the positive predictive values for CEA and ferritine, which were 53% and 37%, respectively. Results obtained in the study show the relatively good diagnostic potential of CEA.

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