[Hormonal balance in women with lung cancer and its changes after combined treatment]

A relatively more favorable course of lung cancer and higher survival rates observed in female patients than in males make the case for further study of the problem. Endocrine system study group included female lung cancer patients. Blood-ACTH, FSH, LH, STH, T3 and T4 as well as F, 17-CS and estrogen excretion with urine were followed prior to, immediately and long after treatment in 25 menopausal and 11 premenopausal cases (at folliculin phase). Most patients revealed increased levels of free hydrocortisone in blood and urine matched by a lowered excretion of 17-CS. Hyperproduction of ACTH was registered in 40%, whereas 60% showed subnormal concentrations of said hormone. On the average, the levels of estrogens were increased, gonadotropin--decreased, T3--below normal concentrations and T4 and STH--within norm. TTH levels showed a wide-range variation: half that in healthy females-20%, and much higher than in healthy one-65%. Concentration of F was close to normal 15-20 days after surgery while ACTH and 17-CS--after one year. The levels of the other hormones remained virtually unchanged within 1-3 years.