[Function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian system during radiotherapy of patients with cervical cancer].

Radioimmunoassay of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-ovarian interrelationships was performed in 87 patients with cervical cancer and 37 practically healthy women. The patients were examined before concomitant radiation therapy, after administration of the half dose to the focus, immediately after irradiation and 3-12 mos. and 2-5 yrs. after it. The basal level of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol as well as their response to the administration of the releasing factor of the hypothalamus (luliberin) were studied. Some disorders that manifested themselves in the decreased level of estradiol, were established in the patients with cervical cancer even before irradiation. Concomitant radiation therapy resulted in pronounced changes in the activities of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-ovarian system that manifested themselves in the lowered rate of LH increment in response to the administration of luliberin and the absence of estradiol response to the load. These changes persisted long after the termination of concomitant radiation therapy.