Background: Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy of women in
Nigeria. Change in serum levels of some biochemical parameters could
assist diagnosis and follow-up of breast cancer. Objective: To
determine serum levels of calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline
phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in patients
with breast cancer, and change in the serum levels over time. Methods:
Total serum calcium and inorganic phosphates, and serum ALP and ACP
activities were determined in 25 women with breast cancer and 25
age-matched controls using colorimetric and enzymatic methods, over 6
months with bi- monthly analysis. Results: The serum calcium level, ALP
and ACP activities were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the study
group than in the control group. No significant difference was seen in
the inorganic phosphate levels of both groups. There were significant
increases in serum calcium levels, ALP and ACP activities in the study
group with time (p<0.05), whereas no significant increase was
observed in the control group. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients have
higher calcium levels and higher ALP and ACP activities. The increase
in the levels of these parameters with time shows that they could be of
importance in monitoring treatment and disease progress in a
resource-poor setting