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.