[Characteristics of dyslipidemia in cancer patients]

Blood concentrations of total cholesterol, cholesterol of very high density lipoproteins (alpha-cholesterol), triglycerides, beta-lipoproteins and 11-hydroxycorticosteroids were studied in 560 patients with rectal, colon, lung, ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer as well as in 238 controls. Patients with breast and rectal cancer were examined before and repeatedly after operation (every 6-12 months within 4-5 years). The blood concentration of total cholesterol was found to be elevated in breast cancer patients and controls with fibroadenomatosis and decreased in females with ovarian cancer and males with lung cancer. The level of blood alpha-cholesterol was decreased in males with all tumor localizations under study and in females with ovarian and rectal cancer. The concentration of triglycerides was increased in women patients only. Three possible causes of dyslipidemia in cancer patients are discussed: its development before tumor manifestation, the effect of tumor on the metabolic status of the host and the role of emotional stress in the increase of triglycerides level in the blood of primary cancer patients.