Some oxidative stress related parameters in patients with head and neck carcinoma

Forty cases of head and neck cancer were studied for plasma superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and thiol levels and results were compared with a group of forty normal healthy volunteers. Mean plasma superoxide dismutase activity was not found to be altered while malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher when compared with the control group. On the other hand, mean thiol level was significantly lowered. The data suggests increased level of oxidative stress in patients with head and neck cancer.