THE PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS OF ESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENTS IN WOMEN WITH CANCER OF BREAST- OR CERVIX

Derangement of trace elements which could be due to systemic inflammation or oxidative stress is thought to be directly or indirectly involved in carcinogenesis.

To evaluate plasma trace elements in female patients with cancer of breast- or cervix.

This study was carried out in the Departments of Immunology and Radiation Oncology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Thirty (30) patients with cervical cancer, 30 patients with breast cancer and 30 age-matched females without cancer as control were included in the study. Plasma separated from venous blood was analysed for the concentrations of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The sixty cancer patients were newly diagnosed and in a stable state.

The mean plasma levels of Fe and Cu were significantly reduced in patients with breast cancer- or cervical cancer compared with control. The plasma concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn and Se were significantly reduced in all patients having breast cancer and those in stage 2 compared with cervical cancer patients.

Available data further support a previous suggestion that blood levels of metal varies with different cancers. Thus, a need for differential supplementation based on cancer types when modulation of trace element levels becomes a therapeutic option.