Further observations on polycythemia in hepatocellular carcinoma.

N ASSOCIATION between hepatocellular carcinoma and pol cythemia was reported in 1958 by McFadzean, Todd and Tsang’ who found the red cell mass to be increased in 17 of 28 patients investigated. The red cell masses were calculated from the plasma volumes determined by the T-1824 dye method. When radioactive isotopes became available it was decided further to investigate the red cell mass in hepatocarcinoma by direct measurement with Cr tagged red cells and to determine whether an erythropoietic stimulating factor was demonstrable in the plasma of the patients with polycythemia.