Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in relation with metabolic profile and clinicopathologic features of patients with endometrial cancer. A total of 47 women with endometrial cancer and 45 controls were eligible for the study. Clinicopathologic features and metabolic profile as well as serum copper and zinc levels were evaluated in each subject. Patients with endometrial cancer (Cu mean 3.72 +/- 2.15 mg/L, median 3.54 [0.41-9.16] mg/L and Zn mean 1.83 +/- 0.71 mg/L, median 1.77 [0.71-4.02] mg/L) exhibited lower Cu and Zn levels than those of controls (Cu mean 6.06 +/- 1.79 mg/L, median 6.32 [2.95-9.05] mg/L and Zn mean 2.48 +/- 0.89 mg/L, median 2.23 [1.23-4.54] mg/L) (p < 0.001). Cu/Zn ratio was also higher (0.85 +/- 1.96 vs. 2.57 +/- 0.73) in controls as compared with patients with endometrial cancer. While Cu levels showed no significant correlation with age, body mass index, gravidity, and parity, a positive correlation was found between Zn levels and parity. When cancer patients were evaluated on their own, both Cu and Zn levels showed positive correlation with age. Additionally, the cancer patients with myometrial invasion > 1/2 exhibited lower Cu levels compared with the cancer patients with myometrial invasion < 1/2. The data of the present study suggested that women with endometrial cancer are characterized by altered serum Cu and Zn levels as compared with controls. Imbalance of these trace element levels might be associated with endometrial cancer among Turkish patients.