Adrenal Gland Changes in Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Jenkins P J, Sohaib S A, Trainer P J, Lister T A, Besser G M, Reznek R
Primary Institution: St Bartholomew's Hospital
Hypothesis
The study aims to elucidate the activity of the HPA axis in patients with malignancy and correlate it with adrenal gland size.
Conclusion
Patients with malignancy have larger adrenal glands and show resistance to cortisol suppression by dexamethasone.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with malignancy had significantly larger adrenal glands than those without malignancy.
- Nine patients (64%) showed abnormal resistance to dexamethasone suppression.
- Those who failed to suppress had larger adrenal glands and tended to have non-haematological malignancies.
Takeaway
This study found that people with cancer have bigger adrenal glands and sometimes their bodies don't respond normally to a medicine that usually lowers cortisol levels.
Methodology
The study measured adrenal gland size and cortisol levels in 14 cancer patients before chemotherapy.
Participant Demographics
Patients with a variety of malignancies, including both non-haematological and haematological types.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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