[Steroid therapy in oncology].

Corticosteroid is widely used in the clinical practice of malignant neoplasmas. Antitumor effect of corticosteroid is exceptional except lymphoproliferative disorders such as malignant lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and multiple myeloma. Standard regimens of these hematological disorders include corticosteroid as a chemotherapeutic agent. Chemotherapy for hematological and solid tumors always has many serious adverse effects. In these circumstance, corticosteroid is especially effective as antiemesis agent, anti-inflammatory agent, and anti-allergic drug. In addition, corticosteroid may provide some improvements of quality of life, pain, appetite, and performance status in terminal cancer patients. However, steroid has also many adverse effects. Careful use of corticosteroid should be considered in clinical oncology.