title: [Differential scanning calorimetry of blood plasma in breast cancer patients].
abstract: Breast cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Its incidence has been increasing for many years in economically developed countries. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermoanalytical technique which monitors small heat changes between sample and reference materials. This examination is a validly efficient method for the demonstration of structural changes not only in the physical sciences, but in numerous human oncological diseases. The goal of this study was to measure DSC thermogram of blood plasma in breast cancer patients with different stages. Nineteen women with different tumor diameter (0.5-7.5 mm) and with or without regional lymph node metastases were involved in the study. Preoperatively peripheral blood samples were collected from the patients and from healthy controls, and plasma components were analysed by SETARAM micro DSC-II calorimeter. The diameter of the tumor tissue and the number of metastatic lymph nodes were evaluated on the basis of postoperative histological results. In the current study we found difference in changes of the thermal parameters (transition temperature, calorimetric enthalpy) of breast cancer patients' plasma components. Moreover, a tendency has been found for association of these results with tumor size and with the degree of regional lymph node involvement. Preliminary study of the clinical utility of DSC technology arises, even though there is no data in the literature. In cases of breast cancer the blood plasma may be suitable for DSC analysis for diagnosis or staging as well. In order to clarify the relationships we are planning further studies.
authors.affiliation: Sebészeti Klinika, Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Pécs, Hungary. zapfistvan@googlemail.com
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zapf
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fekecs
authors.forename: Medhi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moezzi
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tizedes
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pavlovics
authors.forename: Endre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kálmán
authors.forename: Péter Ors
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Horváth
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferencz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry*