Effects of Se, Zn and Cu levels on chemoradiotherapy related toxicity in patients with locally advanced lung cancer

Lung cancer, with 12% of overall new cancer cases globally, has considerable mortality rate. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common treatment modalities apart from surgery. Both, chemo- and radio- therapies, are known to have side affects. Trace elements are reported to influence the radiotherapy related adverse effects in the body. In this context, here, we investigated whether there is a difference in serum Se, Zn and Cu levels in patients receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRT) due to lung cancer when compared to healthy individuals and to evaluate effects of serum trace element levels measured before and after therapy on CRT related toxicity. This prospective study included 50 patients received CRT due to lung cancer and 50 healthy individuals. Serum selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) levels were measured before and after radiotherapy in patients with cancer, while a single measurement was performed in controls. When serum trace element levels were compared between patients with lung cancer and healthy controls, a significant difference was found in Zn level. A significant difference was detected between serum Cu and Se levels measured before and after CRT in patients with lung cancer (P <0.001 and P =0.019). In the assessment of acute toxicity during, a significant difference was detected when Cu and Zn levels measured before and after treatment were compared. Our study indicates significant decreases in plasma Zn and Cu levels after radiotherapy, suggesting paying attention to nutritional status regarding these micronutrients and other antioxidant agents. Thus, Zn and Cu supplementation may reduce adverse effects in patients receiving CRT.

Recurrence of retroperitoneal localized perivascular epithelioid cell tumor two years after initial diagnosis: case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal tumors. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy are administered according to the patient's clinical characteristics. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old female patient was operated to treat a retroperitoneal mass. The diagnosis was established as PEComa with benign behavior. Two years after the diagnosis, chest and abdominal computed tomography scans showed intra-abdominal recurrence and lymphangioleiomyomatosis in the lung. Treatment with everolimus was started. The disease stabilized in the third month of treatment, according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. CONCLUSION: PEComas are tumors with unpredictable behavior. Therefore, these patients require long-term follow-up, even in cases of correct diagnosis and benign PEComa.