[Cortisol content in the blood plasma in lung cancer].

Under examination were 25 patients with lung cancer. It was found that the cortisol level in blood plasma was significantly higher in the patients than in healthy subjects (in patients--20.99 mkg/100 ml +/- 1,36, in healthy subjects--12.73 +/- 1.12, p less than 0.001). In a favourable course of the disease the cortisol level in lung cancer patients after the combined or radiotherapy was reliably reduced. An increased cortisol level in blood plasma after the treatment was followed (3--6 months later) by the appearance of metastases and the cancer process generalization.