Use of serum copper and zinc levels in the diagnostic evaluation of endometrioma and epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and endometrioma. Materials and methods: We included 21 epithelial ovarian cancer patients, 47 endometrioma patients, 31 healthy women of reproductive age, and 10 healthy women in menopause. Cu and Zn levels and Cu/Zn ratios were compared. Results: In the endometrioma group, Cu levels (P = 0.04) and Cu/Zn ratio (P < 0.01) were higher, while Zn levels (P < 0.01) were lower compared to the control group. The threshold value of 1.15 with 62% sensitivity and 61% specificity was calculated for the Cu/Zn ratio using the ROC curve (AUC = 0.688; P = 0.005). In the ovarian cancer group, Cu levels (P ≤ 0.01) and Cu/Zn ratio (P = 0.02) were higher, whereas Zn levels (P ≤ 0.02) were lower compared to the control group. The Cu/Zn ratio threshold value of 1.37 was calculated with 76% sensitivity and 90% specificity (AUC = 0.829; P = 0.004). The Zn level was lower (P = 0.02), and the Cu/Zn ratio was higher (P = 0.01) in the ovarian cancer group compared to the endometrioma group. Conclusion: The threshold value of the Cu/Zn ratio for ovarian cancer could be determined with a specificity of 90%, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of the Cu/Zn ratio for endometrioma were low. Key words: copper – zinc – ovarian cancer – endometrioma – copper zinc ratio