Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with prostatic carcinoma.

Insulin-induced pituitary growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and adrenal cortical response were studied in 12 patients with prostatic carcinoma. 3 patients demonstrated significant abnormal GH release associated with concentrations which remained on a high plateau during the study. 5 patients showed lack of ACTH-cortisol response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Those patients subsequently presented clinically with rapidly progressing disease.