Calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in breast cancer patients in Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy of women in Nigeria. Change in serum levels of some biochemical parameters could assist diagnosis and follow-up of breast cancer. OBJECTIVE To determine serum levels of calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in patients with breast cancer, and change in the serum levels over time. METHODS Total serum calcium and inorganic phosphates, and serum ALP and ACP activities were determined in 25 women with breast cancer and 25 age-matched controls using colorimetric and enzymatic methods, over 6 months with bimonthly analysis. RESULTS The serum calcium level, ALP and ACP activities were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the study group than in the control group. No significant difference was seen in the inorganic phosphate levels of both groups. There were significant increases in serum calcium levels, ALP and ACP activities in the study group with time (p<0.05), whereas no significant increase was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION Breast cancer patients have higher calcium levels and higher ALP and ACP activities. The increase in the levels of these parameters with time shows that they could be of importance in monitoring treatment and disease progress in a resource-poor setting.