Growth hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in cancer patients

Plasma GH responses to TRH were investigated in 50 cancer patients. Out of 50 cancer patients, 33 were found to be responders. At 15, 30 and 60 min after TRH injection, the mean values GH for cancer patients was significantly higher than the corresponding value for normal controls and the base-line level following saline injection in cancer patients (p < 0.001). Our results suggests that a possible alteration of hypothalamic-pituitary function regulating GH secretion may occur in patients with cancer.