. 2003 Jul 15;89(2):284–290. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601038

Table 2. Biochemical parameters influencing survival times with liver metastases from breast cancer.

Biochemical test (normal range+units)	Median survival if normal (months)	Median survival if abnormal (months)
ALT <50	6.0 (0.16–51)	2.6 (0.16–25)*
(Up to 50 IU)	n=87	n=49
Alkaline phosphatase <1000	5.13 (0.16–51)	1.1 (0.16–25)*
(Up to 300iu)	n=113	n=22
Alkaline phosphatase <500	6.96 (0.17–51)	1.58 (0.16–31)*
(Up to 300 IU)	n=89	n=46
Albumin <35	7.0 (0.27–51)	2.0 (0.16–27.2)*
(35–45 g l⁻¹)	n=82	n=51
Albumin <30	5.86 (0.16–51)	1.5 (0.16–5.13)*
(35–45 g l⁻¹)	n=116	n=20
Bilirubin >50	4.9 (0.16–51)	0.6 (0.16–1.57)*
(<18 mmol l⁻¹)	n=131	n=6
Bilirubin >20	5.1 (0.16–51)	1.38 (0.16–25)*
(<18 mmol l⁻¹)	n=117	n=18
GGT >250	6.0 (0.16–51)	2.67 (0.16–31)*
(Up to 50 IU)	n=90	n=44
CEA >1000	4.9 (0.16–51)	1.035 (0.4–5.1)*
(Up to 10 ng ml⁻¹)	n=127	n=8
CEA>10	5.26 (0.16–32)	4.0 (0.16–51) NS
(Up to 10 ng ml⁻¹)	n=70	n=65
CA15-3 >35	6 (0.4–32)	4.2 (0.16–51) NS
(Up to 35 U ml⁻¹)	n=26	n=110

ALT=alanine amino transferase; GGT=gamma glutamyl transferase; CEA=carcinoembryonic antigen. Data shown are the median survival times from the date of diagnosis with liver metastases plus the range in brackets. Thenumber of patients in each group is also shown (n).

Denotes statistical significance, P<0.01. NS=not significant.