Inverse diurnal variation of blood plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids level in cancer patients

The plasma level of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids was examined twice a day by means of MATTINGLY'S fluorometric method in patients with malignant and other chronic diseases and in control subjects. Higher values in the afternoon or the same as those in the morning were found in each case of malignant disease. This change of physiological diurnal rhythm was not observed in the vast majority of healthy subjects or in patients with non-cancerous diseases.