[Trace elements in the serum and cancerous tissue in patients with trophoblastic carcinoma]

In the serum and cancer tissue of 155 patients with trophoblastic tumor and in 114 patients with benign or malignant gynecologic tumor, 22 elements (17 trace and 5 major elements) were determined by neutron activation analysis. The serum and tissue level of Cr, the serum Zn level in patients with hydatidiform mole was significantly higher than that of the control group (P less than 0.01). The serum Se level in Patients with invasive mole and choriocarcinoma was lower (less than 1.0 mumol/l), but Cu/Zn ratio was higher (greater than 2.0) in comparison with that of the controls (P less than 0.01). With remission of the disease levels of the essential trace elements went up approaching the normal levels. There was a negative relationship between the serum Zn level and hCG content. The authors point out that the low level of Zn and Se, the high level of Cr may be related to the development of trophoblastic tumors.