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Introduction: The growth and persistence of solid tumors and their metastases is connected with angiogenesis. This process is determined by activity of pro- and antyangiogenic factors. VEGF is the one of the most important factors having a stimulant effect on angiogenesis. Soluble forms of VEGF receptors are inhibitors of angiogenesis. The soluble forms of VEGF receptors containing extra cellular part of receptor, which binds ligand, seem to be real inhibitors of VEGF., The Aim of the Study: Evaluation the value of serum VEGF and soluble forms of VEGF receptors concentration as a marker of malignancy in patients with hormonal inactive adrenal tumors., Material and Methods: Twenty seven patients (18 female, 9 male; mean age 48+/-4.3 years) with adrenocortical carcinoma (N=8), adrenal metastases (N=4) and adrenocortical adenoma (N=15) were included in this study. Age- and gender-matched control samples were acquired from healthy volunteers (N=10). Serum VEGF and sVEGFR levels were determinated by means of ELISA assay. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student-t test, the Pearson's test and the series test., Results: In healthy controls mean VEGF level was 197.2 pg/ml, sVEGFR-1 43.5 pg/ml and sVEGFR-2 8976.3 pg/ml. Patients with adrenocortical carcinoma had the levels of VEGF (1263.8 pg/ml) significantly higher and of sVEGFR-2 (5893.7 pg/ml) significantly lower in comparison to control group (p<0.05). On the other hand the mean VEGF (334.2 pg/ml) concentration in patients with benign adrenocortical adenoma wasn't significant different than in control group (p>0.05) but mean sVEGFR-1 (21.7 pg/ml) and sVEGFR-2 (7106.4 pg/ml) concentrations were significantly lower than in the control (p<0.05). In metastases group mean VEGF (485.9 pg/ml) level was higher and sVEGFR-2 (5455.2 pg/ml) was lower than in control group (p<0.05)., Conclusion: These data suggest that determination of VEGF and sVEGFR concentration in the serum of patients with hormonal inactive adrenal tumors may be applied as an additional marker of malignancy.

The author presents a review of literature dealing with issues concerning unemployment related health effects. Studies of this problem explicitly show that the loss of the job exerts a detrimental health effect. A number of other factors decide about the significance of this relationship. The change from being employed to unemployment affects mostly mental health. First symptoms appear together with the danger of losing the job. Unemployment can evoke apathy, fear or frustration and then it leads to more serious disorders such as neuroses, depression and so forth. It can be also responsible for suicidal attempts. These disorders are usually associated with somatic complaints. Stress evoked by the loss of the job is the major factor affecting the health state of an unemployed person. The loss of income and social status is another important factor. Many authors turn particular attention to a growing intensity of all negative effects of unemployment if it lasts for a long period of time.