Serum selenium levels in patients with head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to estimate serum selenium levels in patients with head and neck cancer and to correlate them with tumour burden, as well as to study the effect of radiotherapy on serum selenium levels to determine its prognostic significance. DESIGN: This prospective study was carried out by selection of head and neck cancer patients using periodic random numbers. SETTING: This was a hospital-based study. METHODS: Estimation of serum selenium was done using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model AAS 4129; Electronic Corporation of India Ltd., Hydrabad, India) with a hydride generator after digestion of the serum sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were followed for 1 year postradiotherapy for any change in serum selenium level and its correlation with the outcome of the treatment. RESULTS: All 30 patients had serum selenium levels significantly lower as compared with controls, and these levels decreased further as tumour burden increased. Levels came within normal range after 1 year of radiotherapy in 10 patients who were cured but in the remaining patients who had residual disease, levels remained persistently low. CONCLUSIONS: The serum selenium level may serve as a useful marker in head and neck cancer.