Steroid Hormone Metabolites Before and After Orchiectomy for Prostatic Cancer

Metabolites of steroid hormones were studied in 15 patients with prostatic cancer. The decreased level of androgen metabolites after orchiectomy as compared with the preoperative control study was affirmed. A fall in hydrocortisone metabolites after operation was also observed in a limited number of patients studied. There appeared to be no correlation between the initial steroid level or the decrease in androgen observed and remission of the disease. Serial studies after operation failed to reveal a “secondary rise” of androgens. It was concluded that “control” studies represented a stage of acute alarm and anxiety and that subsequent studies were complicated by the physical and emotional reactions of the patient. These later alterations in adrenal function reflect changes in the patient's status but were not causative of these.