Comparative Analysis of Serum Zinc and Vitamin A in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Healthy Individuals

Background: Deficiency of micro nutrients and trace elements has been associated with Head and Neck Squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). There is however a paucity of studies demonstrating this association in the West African sub-region.

Aim: To determine the serum level of zinc, vitamin A and nutritional status of HNSCC patients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Methods: This was a case-control study of 65 consecutive patients with histological diagnosis of HNSCC. The controls were 65 healthy volunteers similar in age, sex and socioeconomic status. The participants’ height, weight, mid upper arm and waist circumference were measured and, serum Zinc and Vitamin A (Retinol) levels were assayed. The data from cases were analysed and compared with the controls using statistical package for social sciences version 15 software. Significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean ages of cases and controls were 50.9±15.2 years and 49.49±16.35 years respectively. The commonest sites of HNSCC were the Nasopharynx and Sinonasal regions. Fifty five (84.6%) HNSCC patients presented with advanced form of the disease (stage III and IV). The mean body mass index of cases and controls was 22.66±4.70 and 23.14±3.8 respectively (p=0.524). The mean serum zinc level of the controls (113.63±6.04) was significantly higher than the cases (89.84±14.27) (p=0.000). The mean serum vitamin A (retinol) level of the controls (77.74 µg/dl±2.82) was significantly higher than the cases (61.34±5.89) (p=0.000).

Conclusion: There are more Head and Neck Squamous cell carcinoma patients with malnutrition than the healthy population. Although no abnormality of serum zinc and retinol was found in both groups, there is a trend of lower levels of these nutrients in the patients than healthy individuals.