Michael Schwartz

Hypoalbuminemia in gastric carcinoma.

Summary In 9 patients suffering from gastric carcinoma, a pronounced hypoalbuminemia varying from 2 to 3 gm. per 100 ml. was found in 8. In 7 patients an abnormal fecal excretion of I 131 -polyvinylpyrrolidone was found after intravenous injection of the labeled polymer, suggesting a gastrointestinal leakage of high molecular-weight substances. By paper electrophoresis of gastric juice, albumin was detected in 5 of 9 patients, the concentration varying from trace to 0.30 gm. per 100 ml. Albumin production, as measured by means of I 131 -labeled albumin, was normal in 1 patient with a serum albumin of 2.19 gm. per 100 ml. He had small intra- and extravascular albumin pools, but a rapid turn-over, thus resembling albumin metabolism in nephrosis and protein-losing gastro-enteropathy.