Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels in patients with prostatic cancer, heart diseases and under surgery stress.

DHEA levels in patients with prostatic cancer were significantly lower, but total and free testosterone (T) significantly higher as those in an age-matched control group. Therefore, the calculated quotients DHEA/free T and DHEA/T were especially different between both groups. DHEA and DHEAS levels in patients with heart diseases were also significantly lower but cortisol (F) levels were significantly higher as those in a control group. The quotients DHEA/F and DHEAS/F were also of greater significance between both groups than the hormone values alone. The response of DHEA and F levels in patients undergoing surgery showed an increase of both steroids under surgery. On the second postoperative day, however, F levels were still significantly higher but DHEA levels were significantly lower as the initial values. The differences between the initial values and those on the second postoperative day of F and DHEA showed a significant correlation, i.e. the higher the elevation of F levels above the initial values the greater was the diminution of DHEA levels below the initial values.