Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase: A Possible Metastatic Indicator of Lung Carcinoma

Aim: This study was aimed to quantify serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in lung cancer patients and correlate with metastasis of the lung cancer. Materials and methods: 150 patients with histological confirmed lung cancer including non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 150 age & sex matched control subjects were included in this study. Serum LDH levels were quantified in lung cancer and control subjects by IFCC method. The independent sample t-test was used to assess the association between serum LDH level and metastasis of lung cancer. Results: Lung cancer patients with metastatic stage group showed a statistical significant elevated serum LDH level than non-metastatic stage group. Conclusion: Our study results suggest a significant association between elevated LDH level and metastasis of lung cancer in both NSCLC and SCLC patients. The pretreatment LDH level can be helpful in early detection of metastasis and to direct better treatment strategy.