SERUM SELENIUM LEVELS IN VARIOUS CANCER TYPES

In this study, the serum selenium (Se) levels in cancer patients (n = 101) and healthy controls (n = 101) were measured. The cancer group co mprised the patients with the following primary site tumors: stomach ( n = 10), colon (n = 10), larynx (n = 10), lung (n = 10), cervix (n = 1 0), ovary (n = 10), prostate (n = 10), breast (n = 10), bladder (n = 1 0) and other sites (n = 11). The mean (+/- SD) values for Se were foun d to be 94.1 mu g/l (+/- 12.5) in controls and 69.2 mu g/l (+/- 11.1) in the cases. Cases and controls were compared with respect to a numbe r to potentially confounding factors: age, sex, quetelet index (kg/m(2 )): smoking status, alcohol intake and dietary intake. Serum Se concen tration was also discussed in connection with the specific site of can cer. According to this study, the serum Se levels of cancer patients w ere lower than the levels of healthy subjects.