Urinary oestrogens and pregnandiol in breast cancer patients

Urinary E1, E2, E3 and pregnandiol were determined in 60 premenopausal and 12 postmenopausal breast cancer patients before and after mastectomy, as well as in 30 normal females. Data obtained showed great individual variation. The general findings were low oestrogens in young patients, normal in old premenopausal patients and high in postmenopausal patients. The ratio E3/E1 + E2 showed comparatively high values in premenopausal patients. Pregnandiol excretion was low in almost all premenopausal patients with the exception of few cases in the different age groups. The changes in the hormonal pattern in premenopausal breast cancer patients, before and after mastectomy, and of postmenopausal patients were discussed in view of the current literature.