BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of anemia as evidenced by altered serum levels of iron metabolism in patients with breast cancer (n = 84), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (n = 29), fibroadenoma (n = 100) and healthy women (n = 14). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, serum ferritin, serum transferrin and serum transferrin receptor were evaluated prior to surgery. No patient with breast cancer had anemia according to Hb level. RESULTS: No significant correlations between serum iron, transferrin and transferrin receptor were ascertained. Serum ferritin was significantly elevated in patients with breast cancer. Among patients with breast cancer, a significant correlation with positive lymph node involvement was noted. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum ferritin might indicate the presence of malignant disease and could be regarded as a predictor of positive lymph node involvement in patients with breast cancer.
BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of anemia as evidenced by altered serum levels of iron metabolism in patients with breast cancer (n = 84), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (n = 29), fibroadenoma (n = 100) and healthy women (n = 14). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, serum ferritin, serum transferrin and serum transferrin receptor were evaluated prior to surgery. No patient with breast cancer had anemia according to Hb level. RESULTS: No significant correlations between serum iron, transferrin and transferrin receptor were ascertained. Serum ferritin was significantly elevated in patients with breast cancer. Among patients with breast cancer, a significant correlation with positive lymph node involvement was noted. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum ferritin might indicate the presence of malignant disease and could be regarded as a predictor of positive lymph node involvement in patients with breast cancer.
Authors: John P Richie; Wayne Kleinman; Patricia Marina; Patricia Abraham; Ernst L Wynder; Joshua E Muscat Journal: Nutr Cancer Date: 2008 Impact factor: 2.900