Abstract

Trace elements have long been identified to play key roles in cell metabolism and by extension malignant disease. Copper in particular has been shown to increase in different types of genital cancers, while Zinc levels are depleted. This study set out to evaluate the serum Copper and Zinc levels in patients with cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers. A total of 40 patients were recruited, 16 each with cervical and ovarian cancer and 8 with endometrial cancer. These were matched with 40 controls from the Gynaecology clinic. The serum Copper levels were elevated in all types of genital cancers and statistically significant in cervical 0.65±0.082 mg/L and endometrial cancers 0.54±0.14 mg/L. The serum Zinc levels were reduced in all cancers, however non to a statistically proportional level. The Copper/Zinc ratio in cases was markedly elevated when compared to that of the controls (1.19). The results indicate a possible clinical relevance of accessing serum Copper levels in women with genital tract malignancies, particularly in cervical cancer. There may also be a role for serum Copper levels in monitoring disease progression in the management of genital malignancies.

Keywords:

Cervical, copper, endometrial, ovarian cancer, Zinc,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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The authors have no competing interests.