METHODS
Patient characteristics, preradiotherapy selenium levels and treatment response were evaluated in 33 patients who were treated with radical radiotherapy. Serum selenium level was analyzed and measured by using Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and hydrur system. Treatment response was assessed according to World Health Organization criteria.
RESULTS
Median age was 57 (range: 37-80 years). Twenty-three patients (69.7%) were male and ten patients (30.3%) were female. Eighteen patients (54.5%) had lung cancer, 8 patients had (24.2%) head and neck cancer and 7 patients (21.2%) had cervix carcinoma. Preradiotherapy mean selenium level was found to be 102.2 µg/L (range: 53-141 µg/L). The selenium level was also significantly low in patients with low KPS and low Hb level (p=0.04, p=0.00, respectively). When the relation between the selenium level and tumor response was evaluated it was found that as the selenium levels increased response to treatment also increased (p=0.02).
CONCLUSION
In the present study it was concluded that low selenium levels affected the treatment response unfavorably and selenium levels were found to be associated with KPS status and Hb levels.
Keywords: Selenium; cancer; radiotherapy
