[The changes of serum cortisol and aldosterone in patients with cancer of vestibular section of larynx after irradiation and with and without surgery].

Enzyme immunoassay was used to measure serum levels of hydrocortisone and aldosterone in 85 patients with vestibular laryngeal cancer before treatment and after it. The treatment consisted of either radiation alone or radiation followed by surgery. Pretreatment examination revealed adrenal dysfunction evident from enhanced glucocorticoid and inhibited mineral corticoid activity. Radiotherapy alone or in combination with surgery gave rise to a trend to a decline in glucocorticoid activity and stimulated mineral corticoid activity.