URINARY OESTROGENS OF ADRENAL ORIGIN IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

Abstract

SUMMARY: 1. The effect of the administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) before and after adrenalectomy on the excretion of oestrone, oestradiol-17β and oestriol in the urine has been studied in twelve patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. 2. When the adrenals were intact the intravenous infusion of ACTH for 48 hr produced a three- to ninefold increase in the output of urinary oestrogens. Adrenalectomy completely abolished this response. 3. Adrenalectomy reduced the excretion of oestrogens. 4. There was no apparent correlation between the response of the disease to adrenalectomy and the output of urinary oestrogens. 5. These findings are discussed with particular regard to the limitations of the assay method employed.