Plasma growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone levels in patients with lung carcinoma

Objective: The aim was to investigate the serum levels of growth hormone releasing hormone and GH in patients with lung carcinoma. Design: After an overnight fast a plasma sample was collected for determination of growth hormone releasing hormone and GH. Patients: The investigation was performed in 28 patients with non small cell lung carcinoma, in 44 patients with small cell lung carcinoma, and 10 patients with non malignant lung disease. A group of 37 normal subjects served as control. Measurements: Growth hormone releasing hormone and GH were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: Patients with small cell lung carcinoma showed higher plasma growth hormone releasing hormone levels (49 ± 9.4 ng/l) than control subjects (16.3 ± 2.1 ng/l; P <0.05), patients with non small cell lung carcinoma (23.9 ± 8.8 ng/l; P <0.05), and patients with non malignant lung disease (12.7 ± 5.5; P <0.05). Basal GH level was lower in 5 μg/l in all patients except five patients with small cell lung carcinoma and one patient with non small cell lung carcinoma. Conclusions: The higher plasma growth hormone releasing hormone levels in patients with small cell lung carcinoma compared to normal controls and patients with non small cell lung carcinoma and patients with non malignant lung disease, confirm the frequent neuroendocrine activity of this particular tumour.