Investigation Influence of Serum selenium levels on the risk of laryngeal cancer

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 Sinus and Surgical Endoscopic Research Center, Ghaem Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Sinus and Surgical Endoscopic Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/rcm.2025.87973.1544

Abstract

Background

Cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract are relatively common, and among them, laryngeal malignancy holds the second rank. Selenium is an essential trace element whose biological function in human cells has not been fully clarified. While moderate levels of selenium may exert protective antioxidant activity, both insufficient and excessive amounts have been linked to carcinogenesis.

Objective

The present investigation aimed to evaluate whether serum selenium concentration is associated with the likelihood of developing laryngeal cancer.

Methods

We performed a case–control study involving 30 untreated patients with laryngeal cancer and 30 individuals without the disease, recruited from Ghaem and Imam Reza Hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. The two groups were matched for age, sex, cigarette exposure (pack-years), duration of opium consumption, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and occupational dust exposure. Venous blood samples were obtained before treatment to measure serum selenium. Mean values were then statistically compared between cases and controls.

Results

Across all 60 participants, the mean serum selenium level was 96.37 ± 20.13 µg/L. Patients in the cancer group had higher concentrations (102.89 ± 19.40 µg/L) compared with the control group (89.85 ± 18.98 µg/L). The difference reached statistical significance (p = 0.011).

Conclusion

This study suggests that elevated serum selenium levels may be linked with an increased probability of laryngeal cancer.

Keywords

Reviews in Clinical Medicine
Volume 12, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
December 2025
Pages 126-130

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