[Aromatase activity in lymphocytes of cancer patients and healthy subjects].

Conversion of androgens (aromatization) to estrogens in lymphocytes of cancer patients and healthy subjects in vitro was discovered. Aromatase activity in lymphocytes was comparable to that of fat and breast tumor tissues. It was completely suppressed in one out of two breast cancer patients receiving orimeten (aminoglutethimide). The activity in large bowel cancer was lower than in adenoma patients; however, the two groups were not balanced for age.