Hematologic and Oncologic Diseases and the Liver

Malignant and nonmalignant disorders may affect the liver, causing signs and symptoms ranging from mild increases of liver tests to fulminant hepatic failure. This article discusses the most common hematologic and oncologic disorders and their effect on the liver. The section on nonmalignant hematologic disorders includes the anemias, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, disseminated intravascular coagulation, malaria, Banti syndrome, the porphyrias, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Malignant hematologic conditions include leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloproliferative disorders. Other conditions causing portal hypertension and hepatic metastases are also discussed. The most commonly encountered hepatic manifestations of hematologic and oncologic disorders are reviewed.