Association of Endocrine, Metabolic, and Trace-Element Profiles with Stage I–III ColonCancer in Iraqi Male Patients: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

Colorectal cancer is often associated with endocrine and metabolic disturbances. These
alterations reflect interactions between the tumor and the host. The aim of this study was
to evaluate hormonal, metabolic, and trace-element profiles in male patients with colon
cancer (stages I–III). The associations between these biomarkers and disease stage were
also examined. In this cross-sectional, case-control study, 300 histopathologically
confirmed male patients with colon cancer (stages I–III) and 100 age-matched healthy
controls (50–70 years) were enrolled. Serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH),
parathyroid hormone (PTH), parathyroid hormone–related peptide (PTHrP), calcium,
vitamin D, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), β-catenin, ferritin, and trace elements
(Zn, Cu, Se, Mg, Mn) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and
atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses including one-way ANOVA
with post hoc testing, false discovery rate correction, correlation analysis, principal
component analysis, and multivariate regression were used. Several endocrine and
metabolic markers differed significantly between cancer patients and controls.
Compared with controls, cancer patients showed thyroid dysfunction, reduced PTH with
elevated calcium and PTHrP, pronounced vitamin D deficiency, and higher IGF-1 and
β-catenin levels. Moreover, trace-element analysis revealed reduced zinc, selenium,
magnesium, manganese, and ferritin levels alongside elevated copper concentrations.
Multivariate analyses revealed stage-related biomarker patterns and complex
relationship among markers. Colon cancer in men was associated with coordinated
endocrine, metabolic, and trace-element alterations detectable from early stages,
supporting the value of integrated biomarker profiling.