17-ketosteroids and Esophageal-Neoplasms

Functional status of the adrenal cortex was studied in 80 patients (aged 31-70) suffering esophageal cancer (predominantly stage III). Blood serum showed high levels of cortisol and 11-HCS and a decrease in those of 17-HCS and 17-KS. Groups with hypo-, normo- and hypercholesterolemia were formed. Lowered blood-cholesterol levels were more frequent in cancer patients as compared to healthy subjects. Cases under study revealed decreased immunologic vigor. A peak concentration of cortisol was matched by a decrease in E-RFC level and a sharp drop in that of blood serum cholesterol. Combined chemoradiation treatment partially brought glucocorticoid and 17-KS levels to normal but did not affect cell-mediated immunity. Complex immunocorrection and chemoradiation treatment normalized hormonal function and immunologic indexes.

Topics: 11-Hydroxycorticosteroids; 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; 17-Ketosteroids; Adrenal Cortex; Adult; Aged; Cholesterol; Combined Modality Therapy; Esophageal Neoplasms; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Immunity, Cellular; Male; Middle Aged; Rosette Formation

Excretion of corticosteroids, levels of 11-OCS in blood plasma, tests with dexasone and clinical evaluation of the pituitary-adrenal system function were studied in 354 patients with carcinomas of the esophagus and proximal stomach division. Some degree of hypocorticism with a decrease in the 11-OCS level in blood plasma and lowered excretion of corticosteroids in the urine were found in 71% of patients. These variations are accompanied by lowered hypothalamus sensitivity to dexasone. Similar disturbances though less pronounced are determined in the precancerous states and in the remote periods after operation.

Topics: 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; 17-Ketosteroids; Adult; Aged; Dexamethasone; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Stomach Neoplasms

The paper presents the data on marked dysfunction of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system in patients with esophageal and gastric cancer. Patients revealed lowered levels of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids in blood plasma and 17-corticosteroids and 17-glucocorticosteroids in diurnal urine. It was matched by an elevated threshold of hypothalamic sensitivity to inhibition by glucocorticosteroids. Treatment for these disturbances which brought the function of this system to normal had a beneficial effect on the secretion and excretion of corticosteroids in the course of combined therapy and surgery and was followed by a significant decrease in hemodynamic complication incidence. The favorable clinical effect was in correlation with the decrease in hypothalamic resistance to the inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids.

Topics: 11-Hydroxycorticosteroids; 17-Ketosteroids; Adult; Aged; Cardia; Drug Therapy, Combination; Esophageal Neoplasms; Gastrectomy; Humans; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Postoperative Period; Stomach Neoplasms

A study was made of 74 patients with esophageal and cardiac cancer, Stages II and IV. The excretion of catecholamines, corticosteroids and their precursors was studied, tests with adrenalin before and after preoperative irradiation at a summary dose of 30 Gy were done. It has been shown that before the start of radiation therapy the excretion of catecholamines and corticosteroids is lowered, the reaction to adrenalin administration is negative in most patients, the phase syndrome of cardiac hypodynamics associated with disturbed function of the sympathoadrenal system was revealed. After irradiation DOPA and dopamine excretion gets still lower whereas adrenalin excretion remains at the initial reduced level, the level of noradrenalin increases but does not achieve the normal level, i. e. a predominant decrease of catecholamine synthesis is observed. Adrenalin tests after irradiation revealed the depletion of the reaction of the cardiovascular system interrelated, to a great extent, with the activity of the sympathoadrenal system. Preoperative irradiation in patients with esophageal and cardiac cancer results in an increased excretion of 17-ketosteroids (17-KS) and 17-ketogenic steroids, however 17-KS excretion does not reach the normal level. For better tolerance of irradiation and for a radiosensitization effect testenate is administered to patients before and during radiation therapy. The administration of testenate 7-10 days before the start and during radiotherapy proved to be effective which was confirmed by noticeable necrobiotic and necrotic changes of cancer cells.

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Adrenal Glands; Adult; Aged; Cardia; Catecholamines; Circadian Rhythm; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Preoperative Care; Stomach Neoplasms; Sympathetic Nervous System

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Adrenocortical Hyperfunction; Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Skin Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms

Topics: 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; 17-Ketosteroids; Adrenocortical Hyperfunction; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Alkalosis; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Esophageal Neoplasms; Humans; Hypokalemia; Liver Neoplasms; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pathology; Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests