Urinary Hydroxyproline and Calcium Metabolism in Patients with Cancer

Abstract

IN the past few years an increasing interest has developed in the determination of urinary hydroxyproline as an index of the metabolism and turnover of collagen. Recent experimental1 , 2 and clinical studies3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 performed in normal as well as in many endocrine, metabolic and bone diseases have indicated that bone collagen is the major source of this amino acid in urine. The present investigation was undertaken to study the excretion of total urinary hydroxyproline in patients with inoperable or widespread carcinoma, especially those with bone metastases or hypercalcemia or both. Our specific aim was to observe what relation exists between urinary excretion . . .