ADRENOCORTICAL RESERVE IN PATIENTS WITH GENITAL CARCINOMA
Adrenocortical reserve was measured in patients with uterine cancer to detect possible functional insufficiency of the adrenals and ascertain whether there is a correlation between that insufficiency and the stages of carcinoma, age of the patient, and radiation treatment. The 2-day adrenocortical reserve was determined in 125 patients before or after radiation treatment. Forty I.U. corticotropin (ACTH) was injected intramuscularly during two days. The mean basal daily excretion of 17-hydroxycortico steroids (17-OHCS) was 8.7 mg. ft increased to 13.9 mg on the first ACTH day and to 20.7 mg on the second. In 48 patients the excretion of 17-OHCS remained at the basal level during both AC TH days, indicating insufficient adrenocortical reserve. In addition, 28 patients showed a weak adrenocortical reserve in the ACTH test. Normal or strong adrenocortical reserve was observed in 48 cases. Age had no significant influence on the adrenocortical reserve (above and under 50 yr). With different stages of carcinoma of the cervix, there was a tendency to weakened adrenocortical response in stages III and IV during the second ACTH day. Radiation therapy (300 r/day) increased the adrenocortical response, nearly two fold on the 2nd day of ACTH injection (to 26.9 mg/day compared with 14.8 in nonirradiated patients). Before irradiation, excretion of 17-OHCS on the first ACTH day was 11.8 mg and after irradiation was 14.5 mg. These differences were observed in patients both under and above 50 yr. Apparently, radiation treatment in some patients acted as a stimulus to increase adrenocortical reserve. The doses of radiation used were not large enough to have an inhibiting effect upon the adrenal cortex. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Turku, Finland
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-035410
- OSTI ID:
- 4642087
- Journal Information:
- Ann. Chir. Gynaecol. Fenniae, Journal Name: Ann. Chir. Gynaecol. Fenniae Vol. Vol: 52
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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