Glycoprotein components in the serum of patients with cancer breast.

The levels of total sialic acid, lipid bound sialic acid and fucose were estimated in the sera of patients with benign and malignant tumours of breast. An increase was noted in all the three parameters, with a more marked increase in malignancy, when compared with benign and controls. Consequent to surgery, there was an elevation in the serum levels of the above parameters than the values prior to surgery and a decline was noted two months after surgery although none of the values reached the normal range. These results suggest a close association of the glycoproteins with the tumour burden and further signify their role in early detection and staging of cancer breast.