title: Salivary mineral composition in patients with oral cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the mineral content of saliva in patients with oral cancer in order to identify possible markers that might aid the diagnosis of oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 34 patients, aged 35-72 years with a diagnosis of oral cancer, including seven women and 27 men, before the start of treatment. Samples of unstimulated saliva were collected in plastic containers. The concentrations of sodium and potassium were assessed using ion selective electrodes, and the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus were assessed using colorimetric methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences between the study and control groups were found only for the concentration of sodium--higher concentrations were found in the study group. When comparing different cancer localisations, the highest levels of salivary sodium were found in cases of cancer of the floor of the oral cavity, and the lowest levels in tongue or parotid gland cancer. The highest calcium levels were found in cancer of the floor of the oral cavity, and the lowest levels in tongue cancer. The highest levels of magnesium were found in cancer of the floor of the oral cavity, and the lowest in tongue cancer. As regards the different histological types, higher sodium and calcium levels were found in squamous cell carcinomas than in other types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salivary mineral content in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma is indicative of oral dehydration; however, we found no evidence of any salivary mineral markers that would be useful for the diagnosis of oral cancer.
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of General Dentistry Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, Al. Powstancow Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dziewulska
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janiszewska-Olszowska
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bachanek
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grocholewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003124:Colorimetry; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D009055:Mouth / Q000737:chemistry; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D010758:Phosphorus; D012964:Sodium; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium
keywords: calcium; magnesium; oral cancer; salivary minerals; sodium; squamous cell carcinoma