Concentration of cadmium, nickel and aluminium in female breast cancer

Aims : The aim of this study was to investigate the cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and aluminium (Al) concentrations in female breast cancer and normal tissue.

Materials and methods : The concentration of metals in 16 non-cancerous breast tissues and 67 breast cancer samples was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results : In the case of normal breast tissue the concentrations were 0.61 ± 0.24 μg Cd/g dry tissue, 1.84 ± 0.67 μg Ni/g dry tissue, and 3.63 ± 1.00 μg Al/g dry tissue, whereas in breast cancer concentrations of metals were 0.76 ± 0.38 μg/g dry tissue, 2.26 ± 0.79 μg/g dry tissue, and 4.40 ± 1.82 μg/g dry tissue, respectively. The concentration of Cd and Al in normal breast tissue was significantly lower than in breast cancer. In the case of Ni concentration, we did not observe statistically significant differences between normal and cancerous tissue. There were no significant differences in concentration of studied metals, in breast cancer, in the context of age, menopausal status, and cancer histological grading.

Conclusion : The data obtained show higher concentration of cadmium and aluminium and support a possible relationship between those metals and breast cancer