SERUM COPPER, ZINC, AND IRON IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT AND BENIGN PULMONARY-DISEASES

Some environmental factors and diseases have been demonstrated to affe ct trace-element homeostasis. Ninety individuals were included in the present study (30 with bronchogenic carcinoma, 30 with some nonmaligna nt lung diseases, and 30 normal healthy controls). Serum copper, zinc, and iron levels were determined by the atomic absorption spectrophoto metry. Results of this study revealed that serum copper was markedly e levated in benign lung diseases followed by bronchial carcinoma. Serum zinc was significantly reduced, whereas serum iron was not significan tly decreased in both benign and malignant lung diseases compared to n ormal healthy controls. As to the sensitivity of the studied elements in lung disorders, neither serum copper nor serum iron can be used to detect benign or malignant diseases. Serum zinc and copper/zinc ratios showed reasonable values for prediction of pulmonary diseases but can not be recommended as tumor markers in lung cancer.