Metabolic parameters in women with metastatic breast cancer.

The metabolic mechanism for increased circulating free fatty acids in post-menopausal women with metastatic breast cancer was investigated. Hormone and metabolic response to glucose and growth hormone were compared to cancer patients and control subjects; thyroid, adrenal and pituitary function were evaluated. The results of these studies indicated that breast cancer patients had glucose intolerance and delayed and prolonged insulin secretion, increased basal growth hormone levels and insensitivity of adipose tissue to growth hormone. Cortisol and protein-bound iodine levels were normal and there was no lipolytic factor in the sera of breast cancer patients. The changes observed in breast cancer patients were not attributable to age, obesity, inanition or stress. These metabolic abnormalities may characterize host susceptibility to breast cancer or be effects of tumor.