Abstract
IntroductionTrace elements although present in minute quantities in human blood, they play a vital role in many biochemical enzymatic reactions and have been examined critically as a potential key factor in various human diseases including cancers. This study was aimed to determine the association between serum levels of trace elements and invasive cancer of the cervix.MethodsThis was an analytical cross-sectional study carried out among women seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Fifty histologically diagnosed patients with squamous cells carcinoma of the cervix, who had not had any treatment and 100 cancer-free volunteers were recruited. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect relevant data following which venous blood sample was obtained from each participant. Serum zinc, copper and selenium concentrations were then measured. The associations of serum trace elements and invasive cervical cancer were tested using the independent sample t-test. All significances were reported at P<0.05.ResultsThere were significantly low serum levels of zinc and selenium in cervical cancer patients with no significant difference seen in the serum level of copper among cervical cancer patients compared to their cancer-free control counterparts.ConclusionThese alterations in trace elements levels may be important in the pathogenesis of cervical cancers; however, future robust prospective studies are needed to determine if routine provision of these supplements will result in improved cervical cancer treatment outcomes in Nigerian women.
Highlights
Trace elements present in minute quantities in human blood, they play a vital role in many biochemical enzymatic reactions and have been examined critically as a potential key factor in various human diseases including cancers
There was a significant difference in the haemoglobin levels between the two groups of participants (P=0.042) The results as presented in Figure 1 showed the comparisons between the mean serum levels of trace elements in participants having squamous cells carcinoma and their cancerfree controls
Selenium: There was a significantly lower mean selenium levels in the cervical cancer patients compared to the control participants (101.3 ± 7.7 μg/L vs. 120.9 ± 18.3 μg/L; P=0.026)
Summary
Trace elements present in minute quantities in human blood, they play a vital role in many biochemical enzymatic reactions and have been examined critically as a potential key factor in various human diseases including cancers. Trace elements present in minute quantities in human blood, play a vital role in many biochemical enzymatic reactions and have been examined critically as a potential key factor in various human diseases including cancers They are known to play a pivotal role in the process of normal growth and differentiation of various tissues in animals and humans [6]. Their requirement for sustenance of tumour cell proliferation is considered to be of significant importance [7] Their roles in the prevention of cervical cancer and other invasive cancers of humans are subjects of discussions and intensive research interests [8,9,10]. In addition to its role as an anti-oxidant, zinc is known to participate in nearly 120 reactions taking place in a living organism [6]
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