THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEAD AND IRON CONCENTRATIONS IN HAIR AND BLOOD AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER: A HUMAN-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Head and neck cancer is both severe and multifaceted. For advanced world analysis, head and neck cancer is responsible to the second most cancer-related fatalities. This study assessed the presence of lead (Pb) and iron (Fe) in the scalp hair and blood of male head and neck cancer patients (n=175) aged 30-60, and 149 age-matched controls. The control subjects’ hair and blood samples were also analyzed. Samples were prepared for atomic absorption spectrometry by being mixed with a solution of different acids and then digested in a microwave. The determination of Pb and Fe concentration was post acid digestion. This study found that compared to the age-matched controls, the patients with head and neck cancer had lower Fe levels and higher Pb levels in both hair and blood (p < 0.001). This study has the potential to improve the treatment of head and neck cancer patients.