Trace elements have a close relationship with cancer development. They are useful in diagnosing and/or predicting cancer disease. In order to understand the relationship between trace elements and colorectal cancer, 50 consecutive cases of colorectal cancer confirmed by histological examination were investigated for trace elements (selenium, ferrum, copper, zinc) with the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of this study showed that serum Se and Zn were significantly decreased when compared with the healthy group. It showed 41.96±14.35 μg/L vs 59.52±17.65 μg/L and 88.25±17.70 μg/dl vs 99.65±10.45 μg/dl respectively. Serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratio were significantly higher than the healthy group: 100.12±18.35 μg/dl vs 86.42±15.60 μg/dl and 1.15±0.42 vs 0.88±0.50 respectively. But serum Fe showed no significant difference in both groups. 15 cases were checked for serum Se, Fe, Cu, Zn both in preoperation and postoperation. Serum Se was found slightly raised one month later after operation, but it showed no significant difference statistically. Serum Cu and Zn also showed no significant changes. Serum Fe was significantly decreased from 121.28±32.70 μg/dl preoperation to 103.78±19.65 μg/dl postoperation. There was no significant difference of serum Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, between distant metastasis and no distant metastasis in cases of colorectal cancer (P>0.05). From the above study we concluded that serum Se and Zn were significantly decreased, while serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratio were significantly increased in colorectal cancer patients.
Trace elements have a close relationship with cancer development. They are useful in diagnosing and/or predicting cancer disease. In order to understand the relationship between trace elements and colorectal cancer, 50 consecutive cases of colorectal cancer confirmed by histological examination were investigated for trace elements (selenium, ferrum, copper, zinc) with the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of this study showed that serum Se and Zn were significantly decreased when compared with the healthy group. It showed 41.96±14.35 μg/L vs 59.52±17.65 μg/L and 88.25±17.70 μg/dl vs 99.65±10.45 μg/dl respectively. Serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratio were significantly higher than the healthy group: 100.12±18.35 μg/dl vs 86.42±15.60 μg/dl and 1.15±0.42 vs 0.88±0.50 respectively. But serum Fe showed no significant difference in both groups. 15 cases were checked for serum Se, Fe, Cu, Zn both in preoperation and postoperation. Serum Se was found slightly raised one month later after operation, but it showed no significant difference statistically. Serum Cu and Zn also showed no significant changes. Serum Fe was significantly decreased from 121.28±32.70 μg/dl preoperation to 103.78±19.65 μg/dl postoperation. There was no significant difference of serum Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, between distant metastasis and no distant metastasis in cases of colorectal cancer (P>0.05). From the above study we concluded that serum Se and Zn were significantly decreased, while serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratio were significantly increased in colorectal cancer patients.