title: Gonadal endocrine dysfunction in patients with lung cancer: relation to responsiveness to chemotherapy, respiratory function and performance status.
abstract: Male lung cancer patients with poor performance status [Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) index 3-4] have an endocrinological dysfunction as assessed by serum testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. Patients who respond to therapy regain normal free testosterone levels within 12 weeks post chemotherapy, whereas non-responders continue to exhibit subnormal levels. The perturbations of endocrinological variables in patients with lung cancer is not due to development of hypoxia, as patients with respiratory failure maintain a significantly lower testosterone level compared to cancer patients. The development of a deficiency in total testosterone concentrations in lung cancer patients is correlated to their performance status, and not to the presence of metastatic disease. The mechanisms responsible for the endocrinological dysfunction in patients with lung cancer remain unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Medicine, University Hospital of Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aasebø
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bremnes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aakvaag
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slørdal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013737:Testis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone