Serum copper, zinc, and iron in patients with malignant and benign pulmonary diseases

Some environmental factors and diseases have been demonstrated to affect trace-element homeostasis. Ninety individuals were included in the present study (30 with bronchogenic carcinoma, 30 with some nonmalignant lung diseases, and 30 normal healthy controls). Serum copper, zinc, and iron levels were determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results of this study revealed that serum copper was markedly elevated in benign lung diseases followed by bronchial carcinoma. Serum zinc was significantly reduced, whereas serum iron was not significantly decreased in both benign and malignant lung diseases compared to normal 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 cannot be recommended as tumor markers in lung cancer.