Serum ferritin in patients with malignant and benign breast diseases

ABSTRACT

To investigate the clinical signifiance of serum ferritin in patients with malignant and benign breast diseases. Serum ferritin was assessed in patients with different stages of infiltrating breast carcinomas [51 patients], and in patients with benign breast diseases [70 patients]. The results were compared with normal healthy females as controls [50 females]. Significant high serum ferritin values were observed in patients with primary [I-III], and metastatic [IV] breast cancer when compared with normal controls [P<0.01, P < 0.005] respectively. No significant difference was observed between the mean values of benign breast diseases and those of normal controls. The sensitivity rates of serum ferritin in patient with primary and metastatic breast cancer were [41%, 70%] respectively. It is suggested that serum ferritin determination seems to be of value as an indicator for earlier detection of metastases or recurrences