Lipid profile as a prognostic factor in cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The relationship between plasma lipid levels and neoplastic diseases is still unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the lipid profile of individuals with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or prostate carcinoma (CaP) and to follow serum lipid levels changes in NHL patients according to their response to chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with NHL, 57 patients with CaP, two control groups composed of 29 and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy adults, related to NHL and CaP patients, respectively, were included in the study. Follow-up studies of NHL patients were carried out after the 3rd and 6th cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Initial plasma cholesterol (Chol), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-Chol) and phospholipids (PL) values were significantly lower in patients with NHL or CaP than in controls. Following chemotherapy, we noticed a progressive increase in lipid levels in NHL patients with complete remission (CR) and stable disease (SD), and further decrease in patients with the disease progression. CONCLUSION: Decreased plasma Chol, HDL-Chol and PL levels of patients with NHL or CaP can be considered as non-specific prognostic parameters in patients with these malignancies.