Lipid Profile in Oropharyngeal Cancers in Southern India

Abstract

Background: Oropharyngeal cancers are the most common cancers in India especially among the rural population of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh where people practice reverse smoking and Tobacco chewing. These cancers mostly cause dysphagia and dyspnea compromising on their quality of life. The study was designed to understand and evaluate the pattern of serum lipid profile in patients suffering from Oropharyngeal carcinomas. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients with Oropharyngeal carcinoma starting from oral cavity and extending up to the level of esophagus have been selected from 25 to 70 years of age with a mean age of 45 years from the Department of Radiotherapy, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam from March 2011 to Aug 2011. A total of 73 healthy controls in the same age group were also selected. All the 60 cases of oropharyngeal cancers were malignant histologically. Serum Lipid profile was done for all cases and the controls after an overnight fast. Serum Total Cholesterol, High density lipoprotein cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol and Triglycerides were measured using authentic kit methods and Very Low density lipoprotein cholesterol was calculated from the triglyceride value (using Friedewald's equation). Results: Cases of oropharyngeal cancer have shown significant decrease in total cholesterol and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol when compared with that of controls (0.006 and 0.005 respectively). Serum triglycerides and Very low density lipoproteins cholesterol also showed a decrease in cases but not significant statistically. However, High density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly elevated in patients with oropharyngeal cancers when compared with controls (p=0.005). The same trend of low cholesterol and low density cholesterol was observed in both males and females, though not significant among females. However, high density cholesterol levels showed significant rise in both males and females. Conclusion: The present study has shown significant association between serum lipid profile variations and Oropharyngeal cancer.