Serum zinc, serum copper, and the Cu/Zn ratio in patients with epidermoid cancers of the head and neck.

Serum zinc levels (SZL), serum copper levels (SCL), and the Cu/Zn ratio were evaluated in 50 patients with epidermoid cancer of the head and neck to treatment with respect to site and stage of disease. There was no significant difference in these parameters compared to healthy normal controls. We could not appreciate any diagnostic or prognostic value in these parameters in patients with head and neck cancer. There was, however, a sex-related difference for SZL in men with oral cavity and women with laryngeal lesions, and a trend toward decreasing SZL and increasing SCL and the Cu/Zn ratio with advanced stage of disease.