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Ronald J. Barr, MD; Michael Bonin, MD
University Hospital San Diego, Calif

JAMA. 1975;231(9):914.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

The recent discovery of the association of polyvinyl chloride with primary hemangiosarcomas of the liver has received much publicity.^1-3 The systematic detection program as outlined by Makk et al⁴ is certainly a step in the right direction in identifying the population at risk; however, as mentioned, there is as yet no specific chemical abnormality that could be used as an indicator in screening tests. Carcinoembryonic antigen and -fetoprotein determinations have been negative in all cases of hemangiosarcomas, as opposed to hepatocellular carcinomas where they have been quite useful.⁵

Recently, we performed an autopsy in a case of proved primary hemangiosarcoma of the liver. (The case was referred to the Center for Disease Control.) We would like to report a finding that we think could perhaps be used in an early detection system.

The production of sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides is characteristic of malignant vascular tumors . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Footnotes
Edited by John D. Archer, MD, Senior Editor.

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