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Serum changes in trace elements during thyroid cancers
H Al-Sayer1, T C Mathew, S Asfar
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University Health Sciences Center, Safat, Kuwait.
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|July 2, 2004
Summary
Serum zinc levels decrease in thyroid cancer patients and normalize after surgery, suggesting zinc monitoring for surgical success and patient follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Thyroid cancer is a significant health concern.
- Trace elements play crucial roles in biological processes.
- Alterations in trace element levels may indicate disease states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of thyroid cancer on serum and tissue trace element levels.
- To assess the changes in trace elements following surgical intervention for thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Serum and thyroid tissue samples were collected from 43 thyroid cancer patients.
- Trace element concentrations (Zn, Cu, Mn, Mg, Fe, Se) were measured pre- and post-surgery.
- Results were compared to normal reference values.
Main Results:
- Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in thyroid cancer patients compared to normal subjects.
- Post-operative serum zinc levels returned to normal.
- Serum copper levels increased significantly after surgery.
- Serum iron, magnesium, and manganese levels decreased significantly post-operatively.
- No significant changes were observed in serum selenium levels.
- Thyroid tissue concentrations of trace elements did not differ between cancerous and adjacent normal tissue.
Conclusions:
- Decreased serum zinc levels are associated with thyroid cancer.
- Monitoring serum zinc may serve as an indicator of successful thyroid cancer surgery.
- Changes in serum zinc levels could be valuable for long-term follow-up of thyroid cancer patients.