DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i03.039

Pages: 897-902

Carcinoma breast is the most common malignancy and the most common cause of cancer deaths in Indian women. Tumor markers are biochemical indicators of the presence of tumor. Various tumor markers have been studied singly or in combination, in breast malignancies. Most of these are high on running costs, in terms of laboratory infrastructure. In this case-control study, we analyzed the levels of three biochemical parameters- namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The primary objectives were to determine the reference ranges for SOD, LDH and GGT in women aged between 35 and 75, and in women with carcinoma breast, to determine whether the levels of these biochemical parameters differ significantly in individuals with carcinoma breast when compared to apparently healthy individuals and the secondary objectives was determine if any of the risk factors have an association with breast cancer. The study was done during the period February 2007 to June 2007. It was carried out in two groups- 27 apparently healthy female as controls and 50 females with newly diagnosed carcinoma breast as cases. LDH levels were significantly elevated in the women with breast cancer. The levels of serum GGT were elevated in women with breast cancer. The levels of blood SOD were found to be significantly decreased in women with breast cancer. The mean and standard deviations of the biochemical parameters for the cases were: SOD 151.7 ±10.7 U/mL. LDH 423±198 IU/L, GGT 20 ±6 IU/L. The mean and standard deviations of the biochemical parameters for the controls were: SOD 189.8 ±14.8 U/mL, LDH 213±112 IU/L, GGT 20 ±6 IU/L. The levels of biochemical markers LDH and GGT were significantly elevated, and the levels of antioxidant enzyme SOD significantly lowered in women with breast carcinoma.