Trace element profiles in the hair of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients

The trace element profiles of the scalp hair of NPC patients, aged between 30 and 69, were measured using neutron activation analysis and compared with those of normal healthy people within the same age bracket. The washing method of using detergent and washing powder was found to be comparable to that of using ether. Difference in the mean concentration of each element in the two groups was tested by Student's t-test. A significantly lower value of strontium (Sr) and significantly higher values of arsenic (As), iron (Fe) and vanadium (V) were found in the hair of NPC patients. The relative values of As and Fe found were consistent with the results of other findings on NPC patients, using different measuring methods. The V content in the hair of NPC patients was three times that of healthy people.