Abstract

Introduction and aim: The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate serum concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in patients undergoing surgery of head and neck malignant tumors. Patients and methods: Fifty patients undergoing surgery because of head and neck tumors in the years 2007-2008 were analyzed. Serial determinations were performed in all patients in three times: preoperative day- A1AT1; first postoperative day- A1AT2, and thirtieth postoperative day- A1AT3. Concentrations of A1AT were determined by nephelometry method. Results: The patients’ age varied from 39 to 86 years, 46 male and 4 females. Serum values of A1AT in patients with stage III and IV are statistically significant elevated after operation (and after one month), but in patients with lower stages (I and II) there were not. In patients with laryngeal malignancies recorded statistical significant elevation of serum values of A1AT postoperatively (and after one month). Other tumor locations did not recorded the same results. Conclusion: The above results suggest that measurements of A1AT may have an ancillary role in the diagnosis and monitoring of head and neck tumors..

Key words: alpha 1-antitrypsin, head and neck tumors, surgery