A retrospective study of thirty-two patients with small-cell bronchogenic carcinoma and inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.

Thirty-two patients with inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) complicating small-cell carcinoma of the bronchus were identified from a total of 226 patients with small-cell carcinoma of the bronchus treated at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, between 1978 and 1984. Basic data were collected from patients' files concerning the extent of the tumour, symptoms of inappopriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, biochemical findings, treatment, the course of the inappropriate secretion of ADH and that of the underlying tumour. The data were then analysed and compared with results of previous studies. The response of the inappropriate secretion of ADH to treatment was found to be a significant prognostic factor. Further data were collected to determine the reason for this but it was difficult to drawn any firm conclusions.