[The role of ascorbic acid in the combined preoperative preparation of cancer patients].

Urine and blood levels of ascorbic acid (AA) were measured in healthy subjects (40), cases of cancer of the lung (74), stomach (32) and esophagus (12). AA levels were decreased in cancer patients, particularly, in those with gastric and esophageal tumors. A correlation between the decrease of AA level and the increase in blood concentrations of malonic and pyruvic acids was established. Administration of 1.5 g AA for 7 days was followed by blood-AA level returning practically to normal matched by decrease in lactate and pyruvate concentrations. Also, a correlation between postoperative complication frequency and AA deficit was shown. Correction of AA level was found to be an effective means of postoperative complication prevention.