ESTIMATION OF SERUM LIPID PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD & NECK CANCERS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lipids are an essential constituent of our body cells as they play an integral part in forming the cell membranes of almost all the cell types as seen in lipid bilayer model. They are also important for various biological functions including cell growth of normal as well as malignant cells. Variation in serum lipid profile has been seen in many conditions and its usefulness in diagnosing and treatment of various studies has been studied by many workers. Altered Lipid levels are seen in various cancers, because of rapidly proliferating cancer cells there is increase in demand and due to this there is a reduction in blood cholesterol level. Furthermore, some investigators have also demonstrated low serum cholesterol levels with increased risk of cancer occurrence and mortality Although alteration of lipid profile is seen in various cancers but the exact pathogenesis of it is not reaffirmed in cancers as its prime role in pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. METHODS: The Hospital based case control study was carried out on 48 patents of newly diagnosed Head & Neck malignancies, attending the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad between 1^st July 2020 and 31^st December 2020. Forty-eight Age and sex matched subjects who did not have any renal, hepatic or cardiac dysfunction were taken as controls. Fasting blood samples were drawn and analyzed for lipid profile as recommended in literature. RESULTS:  A significant alteration in Plasma lipid profile The P values of Total Cholesterol (0.000), Triglyceride (0.004) and HDL (0.009) which are < 0.05 suggest that statistically there is a significant reduction of mean serum Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride and HDL in the subjects of head and neck malignancy as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion the altered plasma lipid status may be a useful indicator for initial changes occurring in neoplastic cells. However, a detailed study of cholesterol carrying lipoprotein transport and the efficiency of the receptor system may help in understanding the underlying mechanisms of regulation of plasma cholesterol concentrations in cancer.