Serum trace elements as possible indicators for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

ABSTRACT

This study was done on 11 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas and 12 normal control subjects. Serum iron, manganese, zinc and copper were measured before, and six months after irradiation of the malignancy. The preirradiation levels of serum zinc were significantly lower than the control level and showed significant rise after successful treatment, but remained at low levels in recurrent cases and cases with poor response to radiotherapy. The preoperative levels of serum copper were significantly higher than the control level and showed significant drop in successful cases, but remained at high levels in recurrent and case that did not respond adequately to radiotherapy. However, the serum levels of both iron and manganese did not show significant changes in malignant cases before and after irradiation. From this study, it may be concluded that the serum levels of zinc and copper may have good diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas