Estimation of serum copper and zinc for diagnosis and prognosis in upper respiratory tract malignancy

ABSTRACT

Serum Copper Zinc and Cu/Zn ratio were estimated in 46 cases of histologically proven cases of malignancies of Upper Respiratory Tract. The rise in serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratio and the fall in serum Zn was found to be statistically significant as compared to controls. No significant alteration in these values were detected when malignancies situated in different regions of U.R.T. were compared. On comparing metastatic with nonmetastatic growths, the difference in the values of these trace elements was significant. While serum Cu and Cu/Zn ration exhibited significant changes in their levels, postoperatively serum Zn failed to record any significant changes. It is suggested that determination of these trace elements may serve as a simple diagnostic and prognostic tool in malignancy of U.R.T.