LEUKEMIA;

ALTERATION IN SERUM ELECTROLYTE (NA+, K+, MG+2, CL- AND PO -3) LEVELS

Abstract

The present work was undertaken to analyze qualitatively the serum electrolyte (K+, Na+, Mg2+, PO43- and Cl-) levels by
photometric analysis in cancer patients as compared to non-cancer individuals. An understanding of the mechanisms involved in disease
pathogenesis is paramount for prevention and treatment in cancer patients. Material and Methods: Total 120 blood samples were collected for
analysis randomly which were divided into two groups as A (leukemia patients) and B (normal individuals) having 60 in each. Both of these
groups were further sub-divided (20 each) into three age groups (20-35, 36-50 and 51-70) A1, B1, A2, B2, A3, B3 respectively. Results: A
significant (p<0.05) increase in serum K+ level (hyperkalemia) was observed in cancer patients as compared to normal individuals having a non
significant (P>0.05) interaction with the age limits. However a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the levels of Mg2+, PO43- and Cl- (hypomagnesia,
h pophosphatemia and hypochloridemia respectively) was recorded in group B as compared to group A having independency of age limits.
Conclusion: Low serum Na+ (hyponatremia) was observed in Group B3 as compared to Group A3 (51-70) except the age limits (20-35 and 36-
50) which showed a non significant interaction with this decreased level of sodium. The data was statistically analyzed by ANOVA and a highly
significant (P< 0.05) difference was obtained between both of the groups.