Liver Photoscanning in Evaluation of Cancer Chemotherapy

The liver has always been a difficult organ to evaluate. Physical examination is often inaccurate. Laboratory procedures are available to determine various parameters of liver function, but these often are not sensitive enough to appreciate other than gross changes. Plain roentgenograms of the liver also are only of value when gross changes are present, and special radiographic techniques are frequently complicated procedures.

With the advent of effective chemotherapeutic agents, and more frequent use of radiation therapy to the liver, it is advantageous to have some relatively simple method of recording their effect on primary and metastatic neoplastic disease involving the liver. Photoscanning, using a suitable recording instrument and a radioactive compound, seems to meet these requirements. In the course of a study of diagnostic techniques in neoplastic disease of the liver, we have had the opportunity to do repeat examinations on patients receiving chemotherapy. Following are representative case reports in