title: [Serum copper and the copper:zinc ratio in patients with gastric cancer].
abstract: Serum copper levels, serum zinc levels, and serum Cu:Zn ratios were evaluated in 100 patients with gastric cancer. The following conclusions were drawn from the results: Serum copper levels and the serum Cu:Zn ratio were elevated, while serum zinc levels were decreased, reflecting the progress of the disease. Since serum zinc levels varied more remarkably, it was suggested that this value was more useful than serum copper levels as an indicator of tumor activity. Serum copper and zinc levels were independent of the presence of liver metastasis and of the histological types. It was shown that the serum copper levels correlated (significantly) to the survival time (p less than 0.005).
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc