Assessment of magnesium and calcium status in oral cancer patients

Abstract EN

Background : the aim was to determine whether Mg and Ca ions could serve as tumor markers.

Materials and methods : A total sample of 53 individuals was studied that includes 33 patients with oral cancer and 20 well-matching control.

Estimation of Mg and Ca levels in the lymphocytes of healthy individuals and patients, in the normal and diseased tissues of patients were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results : the values of both elements in the lymphocytes of patients were exchangeable according to the histopathologically diagnosis.

They were generally elevated in comparison to the control.

(Ca = 3.983 ± 3.214mean ± SD), Mg = (2.598 ± 2.364 mean ± SD).

Decrease levels of either element in the diseased tissues observed in comparison to normal tissues in both sexes but it was more obvious in females than males (P < 0.001 for Ca, P < 0.002 for Mg).

Conclusion : patients with oral cancer are immune suppressed and immune disturbance could be the cause of the results found in this work.