RESUMEN
To investigate the serum concentrations of copper [Cu], zinc [Zn] and copper/zinc ratio [Cu/Zn] in patients with ovarian cancer and benign ovarian lesions. The study included 50 patients, with ovarian cancer [malignant group] and 50 patients with benign ovarian lesions [benign group]. After overnight fasting, blood samples were collected. The concentrations of Cu and Zn were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry [AAS]. There was a significant increase in mean serum levels of Cu [p=0.0001] and the ratio of Cu/Zn [p=0.003] in ovarian cancer patients. However, there was no significant difference in the mean serum levels of Zn between two groups [p=0.71]. The study showed that serum copper and copper/zinc ratio were significantly higher in ovarian cancer patients when compared to the patients with benign ovarian lesions. It seems that determination of serum copper and copper/zinc ratio may be used as a test for diagnosing of ovarian cancer