Metabolic and endocrine alterations in osteosarcoma patients.

Eighteen patients with primary osteosarcoma were studied for abnormal endocrinologic functions. Oral glucose tolerance tests revealed abnormal glucose, insulin, or growth hormone response curves in 78% of the study population. Elevated somatomedin values were noted in 72% of the patients tested. No significant deviations were observed in serum cortisol, estradiol, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels. Likewise, lipid screening and 24 hour 17-hydroxy and 17-keto steroid excretion levels were normal. Statistically these derangements were unrelated, leading to the hypothesis that some additional factor or factors are present and responsible for the abnormalities noted. These deviations, found in association with primary osteosarcoma, constitute a new "paraneoplastic syndrome."