Zinc and copper levels in whole blood and plasma from patients with squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck.

Zinc in plasma and whole blood from 13 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck was significantly decreased, and the copper:zinc ratio in the plasma was significantly higher than in healthy controls. The plasma zinc was significantly lower in patients who did not respond to therapy and who died within 12 months than in those who responded to therapy and had a remission within 12--15 months. In patients responding to therapy and alive after 12--15 months, zinc in the plasma and whole blood and the copper:zinc ratio became normal. These results suggest a potential screening and predicting value of zinc in the plasma and whole blood and the copper:zinc ratio in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.