Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in patients with laryngeal cancer

The purpose of this study was to measure the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), which are products of lipid peroxidation, as a reflection of oxidative status in 30 patients with laryngeal cancer. The TBARS were measured 1 day before surgery and 3 weeks after laryngectomy compared to 30 normal control subjects by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test using spectrophotometry. The TBARS levels were significantly elevated in patients with laryngeal cancer compared to the controls (18.4 +/- 3.13 mumol/l versus 7.75 +/- 1.9 mumol/l; P < 0.05). There were no differences in the TBARS levels in relation to T staging, N staging, or degree of differentiation. Among patients with laryngeal cancer smokers had slightly higher TBARS levels. Comparison of the paired observations of laryngeal cancer larynx before and after operation revealed a significant rise in the TBARS levels after laryngectomy. Tissue damage resulting from surgery is the most probable explanation for this rise. The state of altered lipid peroxidation detected in our patients might be related to a deficient antioxidant status. The role of antioxidants in the prevention of laryngeal cancer among high risk patients is worth studying.