Studies on changes in trace elemental content of serum of uterine cervix cancer patients using PIXE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of trace elements in blood sera of uterine cervix cancer patients, analyze their alteration with respect to healthy controls and identify the best predictors amongst these for disease occurrence and progression. Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique was used in this work to identify and quantify trace elements Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br in the blood sera of uterine cervix cancer subjects and healthy control subjects. The observed alterations are discussed with respect to the possible mechanisms by which these elements might influence the carcinogenic process.