Samples of malignant and benign human lung tissues were analysed by two com
plementary methods, i.e., particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and total
reflection X-ray fluorescence (TRXRF). The concentration of trace elements
of P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Hg and Pb was determined in
squamous cancer of lung tissue from 65 people and in the benign lung tumou
r tissue from 5 people. Several elements shows enhancement in cancerous lun
g tissue of women in comparison to men, i.e., titanium show maximum enhance
ment by 48% followed by Cr (20%) and Mn (36%). At the same time trace eleme
nt concentration of Sr and Pb are declaimed by 30% and 20% in women populat
ion. Physical basis of used analytical methods, experimental set-up and the
procedure of sample preparation are described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B
.V. All rights reserved.