Serum zinc levels are increased in melanoma patients

We studied the levels of serum copper and zinc as possible diagnostic factors or markers for the early detection of patients with melanoma. Levels were determined in 35 melanoma patients at various clinical stages and in 39 healthy persons. Measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy using 5100-PC-Perkin-Elmer equipment. We found that serum copper levels were very similar in the melanoma patients and the healthy individuals, the medium values being 118.32 +/- 25.32 micrograms/dl and 117.94 +/- 28.01 micrograms/dl, respectively. Therefore, no significant differences were observed with regard to copper levels. On the other hand, we obtained a medium value of 82.32 +/- 25.38 micrograms/dl for serum zinc levels in the melanoma patients and 56.72 +/- 11.79 micrograms/dl in the healthy persons, which represents a very significant increase in the serum levels of zinc in melanoma patients (P < 0.0001). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve statistical analysis was also performed; the cut-off value obtained was 60.9 micrograms/dl. According to our results, zinc is increased in 86.5% of melanoma patients. Although further investigations are needed to assess its value in prognosis and follow-up, evaluation of serum zinc level could be a good tool to check for the presence of melanoma.