Examination of preoperative and postoperative levels of rare earth elements (Zn, Cu, Mg, Pb, Mn, Cd, Co and Fe in the blood of ovarian cancer patients

Abstract

Objective: In this study, serum material drawn preoperatively and postoperatively from totally 33 patients who applied to Department of Gynaecology of Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine and Van Training and Research Hospital due to suffering from ovarian cancer was used.
 Material and Methods: The serum levels (Zn, Cu, Mg, Pb, Mn, Cd, Co and Fe) were determined by the method of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry at Spectrometer in Yüzüncü Yıl University Central Research Laboratory. The levels of rare-earth, trace and heavy elements were determined from the serum samples which were drawn from healthy and volunteer 30 women who were close to the same age group. 
 Results: This study found out a significant difference (p<0.001) between the preoperative and postoperative levels of lead, manganese and iron in ovarian cancer patients. While a significant difference (p>0.005) wasn’t discovered between the preoperative and postoperative levels of zinc, copper, cadmium and cobalt in ovarian cancer patients, a statistically significant difference was found between the preoperative and postoperative levels of magnesium (p=0.07) in those patients.
 Conclusion: Consequently, Zn is important in the prognosis of the disease because it is a strong antioxidant element. The elements Mg, Mn and Fe can be significant markers for ovarian cancer and especially low level of Mn may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Also, such elements as Zn, Cu, Mg, Pb, Mn, Cd, Co and Fe may play an important role in pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.