Lipid profile as a prognostic factor in cancer patients.

PURPOSE

The relationship between plasma lipid levels and neoplastic diseases is still unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the lipid profile of individuals with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or prostate carcinoma (CaP) and to follow serum lipid levels changes in NHL patients according to their response to chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients with NHL, 57 patients with CaP, two control groups composed of 29 and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy adults, related to NHL and CaP patients, respectively, were included in the study. Follow-up studies of NHL patients were carried out after the 3rd and 6th cycle of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Initial plasma cholesterol (Chol), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-Chol) and phospholipids (PL) values were significantly lower in patients with NHL or CaP than in controls. Following chemotherapy, we noticed a progressive increase in lipid levels in NHL patients with complete remission (CR) and stable disease (SD), and further decrease in patients with the disease progression.

CONCLUSION

Decreased plasma Chol, HDL-Chol and PL levels of patients with NHL or CaP can be considered as non-specific prognostic parameters in patients with these malignancies.