Trace elemental analysis in cancer-afflicted tissues of penis and testis by PIXE technique

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Vol. 229; no. 3-4; pp. 457 - 464
• Main Authors: Naga Raju, G.J., John Charles, M., Bhuloka Reddy, S., Sarita, P., Seetharami Reddy, B., Rama Lakshmi, P.V.B., Vijayan, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2005
• Subjects: Cancerous penis and testis; PIXE technique; Trace elemental analysis; Trace elemental analysis; PIXE technique; Cancerous penis and testis
• ISSN: 0168-583X; 1872-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2004.12.120

PIXE technique was employed to estimate the trace elemental concentrations in the biological samples of cancerous penis and testis. A 3MeV proton beam was employed to excite the samples. From the present results it can be seen that the concentrations of Cl, Fe and Co are lower in the cancerous tissue of the penis when compared with those in normal tissue while the concentrations of Cu, Zn and As are relatively higher. The concentrations of K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Br, Sr and Pb are in agreement within standard deviations in both cancerous and normal tissues. In the cancerous tissue of testis, the concentrations of K, Cr and Cu are higher while the concentrations of Fe, Co and Zn are lower when compared to those in normal tissue of testis. The concentrations of Cl, Ca, Ti and Mn are in agreement in both cancerous and normal tissues of testis. The higher levels of Cu lead to the development of tumor. Our results also support the underlying hypothesis of an anticopper, antiangiogenic approach to cancer therapy. The Cu/Zn ratios of both penis and testis were higher in cancer tissues compared to that of normal.