Estimation of Copper and Zinc Levels in Oral Cancer Patients

Abstract

Backgroun: Prevalence of oral cancer is high in India , other Asian countries, Brazil and France. Micro nutrients like copper and zinc are increasingly recognized for their role during the onset and progression of pre malignant and malignant oral lesions. Aim -To determine serum levels of copper and zinc among oral cancer patients Objective -To estimate and compare the serum levels of copper and zinc in healthy and cancer patients and to derive Cu/Zn ratio, to establish a possible relationship between micro nutrients and oral cancer. Materials and Method - 25 patients clinically diagnosed with oral cancer (study group) and 25 healthy individuals (control group) in the age group of 30-50 years were included in the study. Blood samples were collected and serum copper and zinc values for both cancer and control group were estimated using ERBA CHEM 5 semi auto analyser. Mean and standard deviation of serum copper and zinc values for both the groups were determined and compared. . Results- Significantly higher values (p <0.04) were noted for serum copper level (mean value 249.39 ± 58.3 µg/dl ) for study group compared to control group ( 123.95 ± 16.2 µg/dl ). However there was no significant difference in serum zinc values between both the groups. Cu /Zn ratio of 1.43 and 2.86 for control and study group respectively was derived from the above estimated value Conclusion -Mean serum copper value in study group was significantly higher than in the control group mean may be considered as a biological marker for oral cancers.