Hepatoma associated with erythrocytosis report of two cases

Two cases of hepatoma with secondary erythrocytosis were presented. These patients were diagnosed as having hepatoma by an increase of α-fetoprotein level in plasma, the findings of hepatic scintigram and an abnormality of selective arteriography on liver (in the second case, it was confirmed by an autopsy). Hematological examination showed erythrocytosis (red blood cell: 778×104 and 682×104, and hematocrit: 65.4% and 57.7%, respectively). The increase of erythropoietin concentration in urine was observed in these two patients, and additionally, the elevation of its plasma concentration and circulating red cell blood volume were noted in the second case. Based on these findings, it was considered that the erythrocytosis observed in this study was caused by the development of hepatoma.