Indagini Sulla Funzione Corticosurrenale in Pazienti Affetti Da Neoplasie Maligne

Abstract

17-ketosteroids urinary elimination as well as corticotropin Thorn test have been studied in 46 patients affected with neoplastic diseases. In monocentric tumours (epithelial and connective-tissue tumours of any organs with unifocal development) a decreased urinary elimination of androgen metabolites and a normal response to Thorn test were observed. On the contrary, an apposite functional behaviour of the adrenal cortex was demonstrated in systemic tumours, resulting in an abundant elimination of urinary 17-ketosteroids and absent fall of hematic eosinophils after corticotropic stimulation. Some interpretative hypotheses are advanced.

Studies on the Adrenal Cortex Function in Malignant Haematologic Diseases

“…No prognostic va lue is attributable to urinary steroids as normal values were found in acute cases lasting less than one year, as well as in long-lasting cases irrispective of general condition. Our findings are not in agreement with the data presented by Bottiglioni et al (2). These authors hold that in Hodgkin's disease and occasionally in leukaemia, urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids is increased.…”