[Collagen metabolism in patients with bone system tumors]

Abstract

In patients with bone system tumours, disturbances in collagen metabolism are manifested by enhanced excretion of hydroxyproline with urine while the content of collagen-like protein in blood plasma remains normal. Excretion of hydroxyproline with urine in patients with benign tumours is enhanced to a lesser extent than in patients with malignant tumours of the bone-cartilage system. In patients with benign tumours of the skeleton, greatest changes in the excretion of hydroxyproline with urine were found in the case of osteoblastoclastoma. The most significant changes in patients with malignant tumours of bone system tumours were observed during osteogenic and especially paraosteal carcinoma. After removal of the tumour in postoperative period without complications, excretion of hydroxyproline with urine is normalized but in the case of metastasis, recidivation or persisting growth of tumour, hydroxyprolinuria is maintained at a high level.