Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men worldwide. The role of trace elements in prostate cancer remains a subject of ongoing research, with elements like selenium and zinc potentially protective, whereas copper, iron, and calcium may contribute to carcinogenesis.
To assess serum micronutrient levels in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients and compare them with healthy controls.
This hospital-based comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of Urology, at a tertiary care facility, Jaipur over two years after obtaining ethical approval. A total of 80 prostate cancer patients and 80 controls were included. Exclusion criteria included smoking, chronic alcohol consumption, diabetes, and recent antioxidant or illicit drug use. Clinical parameters, including BMI and PSA levels, were recorded. Serum concentrations of copper, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, and selenium were analyzed using standardized laboratory methods.
Prostate cancer patients exhibited significantly lower serum selenium (82.50 ± 16.76 mcg/L) and zinc (56.98 ± 15.25 mcg/dl) levels compared to controls (p < 0.05). Conversely, serum copper (129.13 ± 22.41 mcg/dl), iron (145.44 ± 39.41 mcg/dl), and calcium (9.50 ± 1.01 mcg/dl) were significantly elevated in cases (p < 0.05). Magnesium levels were slightly higher in cases but not statistically significant.
The findings indicate significant alterations in serum micronutrient levels in prostate cancer patients, with lower selenium and zinc levels and elevated copper, iron, and calcium concentrations. Further large-scale, multicentric studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore the potential role of micronutrient supplementation.
Urologia. 2026 May 29 [Epub ahead of print]
Nitish Pareek, Nachiket Vyas, Shivam Priyadarshi, Neeraj Agarwal
Department of Urology and Renal Transplant, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.