Urinary hydroxyproline excretion in patients with cancer

Abstract

Twenty‐four hour urinary hydroxyproline, creatinine and calcium excretion determinations, and bone roentgenograms were obtained sequentially at 3‐month intervals, or less, in 100 patients with various advanced malignancies. Radiologically demonstrated bone metastases correlated better with the urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio (HOP/Cr) than with the absolute 24‐hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion. Abnormal HOP/Cr excretion preceded the development of clinical and roentgen evidence of metastases in bone, in both breast and lung cancer patients, by 1 to 7 months. Patients with a normal HOP/Cr excretion did not develop radiologic evidence of bone metastases over a period of 6 to 19 months. An examination of the urinary HOP/Cr excretion ratio may well be of value in detecting early bone metastases and be useful for appropriate staging of patients with carcinoma. Copyright © 1969 American Cancer Society