Comparison of Serum Concentration of Lead, Copper, Zinc and Cadmium in Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Non-cancerous Patients in Valiasr Hospital of Zanjan in 1397

Gastric cancer is an important, prevalant and second most fatal cancer in the world. Previous studies show heavy metals have various roles in human health. Heavy metals are known to be associated with various cancers but their function in gastric adenocarcinoma is unclear. In this study we examined serum level of these metals in gastric adenocarcinoma patients compared to control group.

In total, 114 subjects (54 controls and 60 cancer patients) were included in this study. We took blood samples from 60 known cases of gastric adenocarcinoma hospitalized in oncology Ward of Valiaasr Hospital and 53 none cancerous patients hospitalized in other wards of the Valiasr hospital, as control group. After sample preparation, serum concentration of  Zinc, Cadmium, Lead and Copper were determined by polarography and the obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software.

Serum level of Copper was significantly higher in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma compared to control group (P-Vlue= 0.04). No significant differences were  found in serum  level of zinc, lead and cadmium in gastric adenocarcinoma patients compared to control group (P-Value > 0.05), however the mean concentration of zinc and Lead were higher in cancerous patients.

Findings in this study appear to support that Copper overload may be risk factor of Gastric Adenocarcinoma but to find out the exact roles of theses heavy metals, more extended studies are needed. Recently, tendency to use copper containing dishes has been increased in our society, so necessary warnings should be given to the community as to the possible carcinogenicity of copper.