Use of serum copper/zinc ratio in patients with large bowel cancer

The serum copper/zinc ratio was measured in 44 patients bearing primary large bowel malignancies. Measurements were repeated following removal of the primary tumour and again at the time of development of clinical evidence of cancer recurrence in order to evaluate the clinical value of the ratio to accurately reflect the presence or absence of malignancy. Estimation of serum copper levels do reflect the presence of malignancy, but the copper/zinc ratio is of no added value. As other acute phase proteins have been shown to be superior to serum copper as markers for monitoring of cancer patients, it is concluded that in patients with large bowel cancer, monitoring with serum copper/zinc is of no clinical value.