The peripheral blood levels of TNF
α and its soluble receptors were studied in 39 patients with malignant and benign adrenal tumors treated by adrenalectomy. The concentrations of TNF
α were significantly elevated in patients with malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex and
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The peripheral blood levels of TNF
α and its soluble receptors were studied in 39 patients with malignant and benign adrenal tumors treated by adrenalectomy. The concentrations of TNF
α were significantly elevated in patients with malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex and in patients with Conn's syndrome compared to control. In patients with non-functioning adenomas and pheochromocytomas, TNF
α levels were similar to those detected in the control. In subjects with myelolipomas, the serum concentration of TNF
α was lower compared to the control. After adrenalectomy, the levels of TNF
α were decreased in patients with malignant tumors and in patients with Conn's syndrome, non-functioniong adenomas and pheochromocytomas compared to the concentration before surgery. The serum concentrations of soluble receptors of TNF
α did not differ among different patient groups and compared to the control. After adrenalectomy, the blood concentrations of TNF
α R1 and TNF
α R2 were decreased in patients with Conn's syndrome. However, to confirm practicality of the evaluation of TNF
α and its soluble receptors in differential diagnosis in patients with adrenal tumors, a larger study group is needed.
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