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. 2010 Mar;10(1):9-13.

Calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in breast cancer patients in Calabar, Nigeria

Nathaniel I Usoro  1 , Maxwell C Omabbe, Chinyere A O Usoro, Augusta Nsonwu
Affiliations

Calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in breast cancer patients in Calabar, Nigeria

Nathaniel I Usoro et al. Afr Health Sci. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy of women in Nigeria. Change in serum levels of some biochemical parameters could assist diagnosis and follow-up of breast cancer.

Objective: To determine serum levels of calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in patients with breast cancer, and change in the serum levels over time.

Methods: Total serum calcium and inorganic phosphates, and serum ALP and ACP activities were determined in 25 women with breast cancer and 25 age-matched controls using colorimetric and enzymatic methods, over 6 months with bimonthly analysis.

Results: The serum calcium level, ALP and ACP activities were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the study group than in the control group. No significant difference was seen in the inorganic phosphate levels of both groups. There were significant increases in serum calcium levels, ALP and ACP activities in the study group with time (p<0.05), whereas no significant increase was observed in the control group.

Conclusion: Breast cancer patients have higher calcium levels and higher ALP and ACP activities. The increase in the levels of these parameters with time shows that they could be of importance in monitoring treatment and disease progress in a resource-poor setting.

Keywords: Breast cancer; acid phosphatase; alkaline phosphatase; inorganic phosphate; serum calcium; tumor markers.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Calcium levels in female breast cancer patients and controls over 6 months
Figure 2
Figure 2
Alkaline phosphatase activities in female breast cancer patients and controls over 6 months
Figure 3
Figure 3
Acid phosphatase activities in female breast cancer patients and controls over 6 months
Figure 4
Figure 4
Inorganic phosphates levels in female breast cancer patients and controls over 6 months
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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