Changes in plasma zinc, copper and retinol binding protein in carcinoma of the esophagus

ABSTRACT

In this article, the results of the study of some of the metabolic changes associated with carcinoma of the esophagus were presented. Changes in plasma copper, zinc and retinol binding protein were determined. The material employed for this study included two groups of patients; group I, which consisted of 20 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and group II, which consisted of 10 healthy controls. It was found that the mean plasma level of copper and retinol binding protein was significantly different in the two groups, while the difference was insignificant for the mean plasma zinc level. Results were analyzed and a discussion is presented with review of the literature