Comparative analysis of certain metals and tumor markers in bronchopulmonary cancer and colorectal cancers. Metals and tumor markers in the neoplastic process.

Carcinogenic metal levels in serum and tissue samples were measured in patients with bronchopulmonary or colorectal cancer. The cadmium and nickel tissue levels in the patients with lung cancer were significantly higher than in the controls. A statistical correlation was found between chromium and cadmium, as well as between cadmium and nickel in patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, prior to the operation, the tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (Ca 19-9), polypeptide histidio antigen (TPA) and ferritin were analyzed. Their average concentrations were correlated with the existing concentrations of the metals. This was done for both types of cancer. Tumor marker detection showed an increase of CEA and TPA in patients with colorectal cancer. A statistical correlation was observed between AFP and zinc tumor tissue.