Evaluation of folate levels in patients of lung carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally. It is the malignant lung tumor with numerous histological variants. Due to the increasing number of tobacco smoking it is the major risk factor for lung cancer. Two main types of Lung cancer are Non-Small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Folate is a water-soluble natural form of vitamin B9. It plays important role in homocysteine metabolism. Its decreased level may be associated with various cancers as is linked with altered DNA methylation and synthesis, and disruption of DNA repair activities. Aims: The present study was planned to evaluate the Serum Folate levels in patients diagnosed with lung carcinoma and to explore the association of increased serum folate levels with lung carcinoma patients. Materials & Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed for lung carcinoma were enrolled according to the inclusion criteria for the study. Fifty age and sex matched healthy individuals constituted the control group. Serum folate levels were estimated for all enrolled subjects. Results obtained were compared statistically among the lung carcinoma and healthy control groups. Results: Age of the study group and control group were comparable.