Alterations In Lipid Profile Of Patients With Advanced Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Background The changes in lipid profile have long been associated with cancer because lipids play key role in maintenance of cell integrity. Aims. The study evaluated alterations in plasma lipid profile in patients with advanced squamous cervical cancer. Materials And Method This hospital-based study included 30 cervical cancer patients, with 30 controls. Plasma lipids including: Total cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL ), High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol C (HDL ) and triglycerides (TAG) were analyzed by spectrophotometric kits. C Student's t-test was performed to compare mean values of the parameters. Results A significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol, HDLC and triglycerides was observed in cervical cancer patients as compared to the controls. The LDL lipid fraction was however higher in the cases than in the C controls. Also there was direct relationship between reduced lipid levels and cervical cancer progression, this was statistically significant. Conclusion The lower levels of plasma cholesterol and other lipid constituents in patients might be due to low levels of antioxidants which is a common finding among cancer patients, however this would have to be confirmed by evaluating the anti-oxidant levels of these patients. There is also the need to conduct a study with a much larger sample size. The findings strongly warrant an in-depth study of alterations in plasma lipid profile in cervical cancer patients as a means of monitoring and evaluating such patients.

Key Words: Lipid profile, cancer, cervix, spectophotometry, Benin City.