Evaluation of Enzyme Markers in Carcinoma Cervix - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives ABSTRACT Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer among the Indian women, accounting for a quarter of the global burden of cervical cancer. The disease process is certainly curable if it is diagnosed early. The objective of the study was to assess the reliability of enzyme markers, serum adenosine deaminase ( ADA ) and gamma glutamyl transferase ( GGT ) in cervical cancer patients as supportive parameters for diagnostic purpose. Methods The present cross-sectional study comprised of 40 healthy female in the age group of 35 to 65 years as controls and 40 cases of clinically and histopathologically confirmed patients of cervical cancer of the same age group, admitted at KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre and Cancer Hospital, Belgaum over a period of one year during May-2007 to May- 2008. Serum enzyme markers, ADA and GGT were evaluated. Results In the present study, mean serum adenosine deaminase level in controls was 20.81 ± 5.97 U/L while in the patients of cervical cancer it was 56.45 ± 19 U/L. The mean serum gamma glutamyl transferase level was 19.61 ± 5.80 U/L in controls whereas in cervical cancer patients it was 40.96 ± 8.45 U/L. X Interpretation and conclusion The present study revealed that, a significant increase in serum ADA was observed in cervical cancer as compared to controls, p < 0.001. An interstage comparison showed a non significant increase in serum ADA levels from stage I to III and a significant increase in serum GGT was observed in cervical cancer as compared to controls, p < 0.001. An interstage comparison showed a non significant increase in serum GGT levels from stage I to III. The study concludes that, serum ADA and GGT may be used as supportive biochemical parameters for diagnostic purpose and may add further for prognostic information in cervical cancer.