TRACE-ELEMENTS IN SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH OVARIAN-TUMORS - RELATIONSHIP WITH CA-125 SERUM CONCENTRATIONS

The level of trace elements in serum of patients with benign and malignant ovarian diseases was evaluated by proton induced X-ray fluorescence emission (PIXE). CA-125, a tumor associated antigen currently used as tumor marker in the clinical practice, was also assayed in all samples. Seventeen patients had ovarian cancer, nine had a benign ovarian cyst and thirteen served as controls. Abnormal values of trace element concentration in patients were considered those exceeding the limit of mean 2 SD of control subjects. Cr and Fe serum levels were found significantly lower, while Cu, Zn and CA-125 levels were greater in patients with ovarian disease than in controls. No differences between malignant and benign ovarian diseases were found. The percentage of abnormal values of CA-125 and Cr increased from benign to malignant tumors, while the Cu, Zn, and Cu/Zn ratio abnormal values had a similar distribution in both clinical conditions. Furthermore, the combined use of Cr and CA-125 seems to increase the efficiency of diagnosis. It is concluded that a decrease of Cr serum concentration may be a biochemical sign associated to, or involved in, the cellular derangement of different ovarian diseases.