title: [Vitamin A level and dark adaptation in patients with tumors].
abstract: Twenty patients with tumors of the head and neck region were found to have delayed dark adaptation. The serum vitamin A levels in these patients were significantly diminished in comparison with normal controls. Since disturbance of dark adaptation does not occur without prolonged vitamin A deficiency, it was reasonable to assume that the deficiency had been in existence for a long time. The antineoplastic effect of vitamin A is considered an important factor in tumor development and growth. Long-term malnutrition may be the reason for the disturbed vitamin A metabolism. Patients who do not attain mesopic vision should be advised against driving at night.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood*; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A
vernacular_title: Untersuchung des Vitamin-A-Spiegels und der Dunkeladaptation bei Tumorpatienten.