Serum lipids were determined in patients with hepatoma, liver cirrhosis and healthy controls. Serum total cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipid were increased in cases with hepatoma compared to those with cirrhosis, irrespective of a history of liver cirrhosis in the hepatome group of patients. From this study one can conclude that the determination of serum lipids is useful in differentiating carcinoma from liver cirrhosis. This may be used as a tool for the early detection of hepatoma complicating liver cirrhosis.