Abstract
Background: Metals such as copper and zinc are crucial in several vital functions in the human body; the absence of these metals can cause serious illness. When in excess, however, they can have toxic effects which may be associated with carcinogenesis, as is described in the literature. Thus, it is important to realize that without these essential metals in their due proportion, the human body could not maintain its proper metabolic function. Methods: The main goal of this paper was to compare qualitatively and semi-quantitatively the amount of both copper and zinc present in the tumor tissue (tissue from patients who had undergone partial or radical nephrectomy) andin the control tissue (which was adjacent to the tumor tissue). This study was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with X-Ray Microanalysis (SEM-XRM). Results: There is a different concentrations of copper and zinc in the samples of tumor tissue and controls that were studied. Conclusion: This work complements previously published results about the presence of metals in the human body and their probable influence on carcinogenesis
Highlights
The majority of the chemical elements that compose the periodic table are present in the human organism; some metals are even vital to its functioning
The patients in the study had three different types of renal cancer: clear-cell carcinoma (6 patients), and adenoma and papillary cell carcinoma
It was verified that Cu and Zn were present in the tumor tissue (Figure 2C) but not in the control tissue (Figure 1C)
Summary
The majority of the chemical elements that compose the periodic table are present in the human organism; some metals are even vital to its functioning. Copper (Cu) deficiency is a rare condition in human beings since almost all diets have at least some quantity of this metal and it is essential in low doses only (the recommended value is 0.9mg per day).[1] Non-occupational exposure is through ingestion but populations can be exposed by inhalation or skin contact since copper can be found in surface waters due to the increasing utilization of the element in aquaculture to control algae and pathogens.[2] Metals such as copper and zinc are crucial in several vital functions in the human body; the absence of these metals can cause serious illness. Conclusion: This work complements previously published results about the presence of metals in the human body and their probable influence on carcinogenesis
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