Plasma lipid profile in gynecologic cancers.
BACKGROUND
Lipids are associated with cancer because they play a key role in the maintenance of cell integrity. We studied the relationship of plasma lipids with gynecologic cancer.


METHODS
A total of 196 female individuals were included in the study. Of these 50 were normal subjects. The remaining were cancer patients: 80 breast cancer, 40 ovarian cancer and 26 patients with other gynecologic cancers. Plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were estimated by using spectrophotometer.


RESULTS
In breast cancer patients there is moderate increase in the plasma levels of triglycerides (18%) and cholesterol (21%), and a high increase in LDL-cholesterol (43%), while there is a moderate decrease in HDL-cholesterol levels (30%) when compared with normal subjects. In ovarian cancer patients, there is a high decrease in the plasma levels of triglycerides (31%) and HDL-cholesterol (39%), while a moderate decrease in cholesterol (28%) and LDL-cholesterol levels (11%) when compared with normal subjects. In gynecologic cancers other than breast and ovarian cancer, there is a moderate decrease in plasma levels of the triglycerides (25%), cholesterol (21%), and HDL-cholesterol levels (27%), while a non-significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol (6.2%) when compared with normal subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma lipid levels, except HDL-cholesterol, are raised in breast cancer and are decreased in other gynecologic cancers. HDL-cholesterol is decreased in all gynecologic cancers. As there is an alteration in the plasma lipid profile during gynecologic cancers, it may be helpful for diagnosis of the disease.
Qadir
M I
MI
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quiad-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. mrimranqadir@hotmail.com
Malik
S A
SA
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides