title: Pituitary function in patients receiving intermittent cytotoxic and corticosteroid therapy for malignant lymphoma.
abstract: Diurnal variation in plasma-cortisol was studied immediately before and after intermittent steroid therapy in seven patients receiving monthly courses of quadruple chemotherapy for Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkins lymphoma over a period of 6 months. The serum-thyroid-stimulating-hormone (T.S.H.) response to intravenous T.S.H.-releasing factor was also measured before and during the first course and before the second and fourth courses. The morning plasma-cortisol concentration fell significantly over 6 months when measured immediately before the start of each course. The mean evening cortisol concentration also fell over this period. In most patients the T.S.H. response showed a downward trend during treatment, although in two patients the response returned to normal whilst they were still undergoing therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011344:Procarbazine; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D013972:Thyrotropin; D011239:Prednisolone; D006854:Hydrocortisone