Serum Levels of Zinc, Copper and Ferritin in Patients with Salivary Gland Tumors

BACKGROUND: Variation in serum levels of trace elements including zinc, copper and ferritin has been reported in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate these trace elements in the patients’ sera with benign and malignant salivary gland tumors (SGTs) and compare them with normal individuals. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 60 patients with SGTs including 16 pleomorphic adenoma and 44 malignant SGTs, as well as 28 healthy controls, were enrolled. Serum levels of zinc, copper and ferritin were determined by atomic absorption and ELISA methods. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA, Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann- Whitney tests. RESULTS: The mean concentration of zinc, copper, ferritin was1.5± 2 ppm, 1.2± 0.5 ppm, and 96.7± 65.7 ng/ml in PA, 1.5± 1.4,1.3± 0.4, and 111.2± 112 in malignant SGTs, and1.1±0.3, 1.2± 0.23 and 124±135.8 in normal control groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients and control groups, and between benign and malignant SGTs (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The serum levels of trace elements in SGTs were not different from normal individuals. The results might have been affected by some interventional factors. Therefore, designing cohort complementary studies might result in obtaining more accurate data.