Investigation of Trace Elements in the Hair and Nail of Patients with Stomach Cancer

Trace metals are beneficial nutrient materials that act as essential cofactors in physiological processes. Recent evidence suggests that increase or decrease in certain trace metals may be related with risk and development of chronic diseases such as cancer. This study analyzed some trace elements level in hair and nail of patients with stomach cancer, and compared with their level in healthy controls. Trace elements (Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se, Sr and Zn) are estimated in hair and nail of the 73 cancer patients and 83 controls by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The levels of Cu, K, Li, P and Se in hair and nail samples, were significantly higher in cases than controls. Levels of Mg and Sr were significantly lower in cases than controls. Fe level in hair samples was significantly higher in cases than controls. The mean concentrations of Fe, Se and P significantly increased with increasing cancer stage in the hair of patients. The average concentration of k also significantly increased with increasing cancer stage in the nail of patients. The results of our study show that there is an association between the increase in Cu, K, Li, P, Se and Fe, and stomach cancer development. Our results reveal that the increase in the trace elements could be a potential diagnostic marker to predict cancer progression and its etiology. © 2017, Association of Clinical Biochemists of India.