Total urinary hydroxyproline excretion before and after hypophysectomy in patients with bone metastases from breast carcinoma.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recent investigations indicate that the urinary excretion of total hydroxyproline is a measure of the metabolism of collagen, particularly the bone matrix. The total hydroxyproline excretion has been determined in 28 women with bone metastases from breast cancer, and in 12 healthy volunteers. In 22 of the 28 cases with bone metastases the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was measured shortly before and repeated shortly after hypophysectomy. In addition, the measurements were repeated 3 to 12 months after hypophysectomy in 8 of the patients. The mean excretion of hydroxyproline was significantly higher in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer (52.9 mg/24 h) than in healthy subjects (22.1 mg/24 h). A correlation was found between the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and serum alkaline phosphatase levels. The mean excretion of total hydroxyproline was 51.0 mg/24 h before hypophysectomy and 63.8 mg/24 h after hypophysectomy. This difference is not statistically significant. Determinations of urinary hydroxyproline excretion in patients with breast cancer has not been found of great value in the assessment of the clinical condition of these patients.