Role of Serum Lipid Profile; Indicator of Early Changes in Head and Neck Cancer Cells

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of serum lipid profile as an indicator of early changes in head and neck cancer cells and to assess the potential value of these changes in detecting neoplastic cell alterations at an early stage.

Methodology: The Hospital-based case-control study was carried out on 48 patients with newly diagnosed Head & Neck malignancies, attending the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad between July 2020 and December 2020. Forty-eight Age and sex-matched who did not have any renal, hepatic or cardiac dysfunction were taken as controls. Fasting blood samples were drawn and analyzed for lipid profile as recommended in the literature.

Results: A significant change in plasma lipid profile with P values of Total Cholesterol (0.000), Triglyceride (0.004), and HDL (0.009) of <0.05 indicates that there is a statistically significant reduction of mean serum Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, and HDL in subjects with head and neck cancer compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The altered plasma lipid status observed in this study suggests its potential as a valuable signal for early alterations in neoplastic cells associated with head and neck malignancies. Furthermore, a comprehensive review focusing on cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein transportation and the efficacy of receptor systems may contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms controlling plasma cholesterol concentration in the context of cancer.