[Status of biogenic amine metabolism in tumors of chiasm-sellar localization].

Histamine, serotonin, and catecholamine metabolism was studied in 47 patients with tumors of diencephalic localization. It was shown that the degree of involvement of the hypothalamus in the tumor determined the different character of metabolic changes of biogenous amines. Three stages of biogenous amine metabolism were distinguished: activation, compensation, and exhaustion. The degree of metabolic changes manifestation before the operation determined to a great measure the organism's reaction to it. The work substantiates the necessity for taking into consideration the metabolism of biogenous amines before undertaking surgery.