Determining Urinary Trace Elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, As, and Se) in Patients With Bladder Cancer

Objectives: Trace elements are essential components of biological structures, but they can be toxic at concentrations beyond those necessary for their biological functions. Methods: A study group of 30 patients with bladder cancer and a control group of 30 healthy volunteers were measured for trace elements using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Urinary zinc and selenium levels in patients were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in controls, but urinary copper, arsenic, and lead were not significantly different. Conclusion: This case-control study suggests that zinc and selenium concentrations are associated with the proliferation of bladder cancer cells because zinc and selenium are excreted in the urine of bladder cancer patients. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:192-195, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.