[Functional state of the hypophyseal-adrenal system in lung cancer]

The results are reported on studies of the secretion of adrenocorticotropic (ACTH), somatotropic (STH) hormones and cortisol, using a standard set for in vitro diagnosis. A total of 66 patients aged 31--70 (64 males and 2 females) have been examined. Among these patients stage II was noted in 17, stage III--in 31, stage IV--in 18. In 19 of them a peripheral cancer and in 47--central cancer was detected. The data obtained indicate an increased basal level of ACTH, STH, cortisol which is directly dependent on the cancer process stage. The maximum increased level of these hormones was noted in low differentiated cancer of the lung.