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  • Title: Hypophysectomy for metastatic cancer.
    Author: Ray BS.
    Journal: J Med Liban; 1972; 25(5):393-400. PubMed ID: 4669960.
    Abstract:
    Hypophysectomy was studied for its possible effects on cancer by alt eration of the endorcines at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center beginning in 1953. The major effort has been the treatment of 850 cases of metastic breast cancer. In 80 patients with other types of metastatic cancer benefit was found only in 50 cases of prostatic cancer. Prolactin is mediated directly from the anterior pituitary to breast tissue where it aids and abets the growth of breast cancer; its secretion is largely dependent on the estrogen produced in ovaries and adrenals. In humans estrogen given after total hypophysectomy is found to be ineffective in altering metastases. Growth hormone is also produced in the anteriod lobe of the pituitary but its production is not dependent on an estrogen feed-back mechanism. If the primary cancer is dependent on the presence of prolactin, failures with hypophysectomy are explained the tumor having gained autonomy and being no longer so dependent. Contraindications to hypophysectomy include extensive pulmonary, liver, or brain metastases and any systemic disease that would preclude major surgery. Following a remission after oophorectomy, another remission with hypophysectomy may often be obtained. Neither the pathological type of a breast cancer nor the location of metastases alter the results. However the longer the interval between mastectomy and reactivation of the tumor, the more favorable the outlook. Maintenance substitution therapy following removal of the pituitary employs daily hydrocortisone, 17.5 mg orally, or equivalent steroid preparations. The mortality rate is 2% in the first 30 days after operation. In 88 patients evaluated 2 years after operation those who had received a remisssion lasting over 6 months survived nearly 5 times longer than those unbenefitted by the operation. The intracranial procedure is preferred. In cases of failure or when a remission terminates, male hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation may have limited value.
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