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.
