The Role of Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNfa) in the Aetiology of Lipid Abnormalities and Cachexia in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Cancer is becoming a serious problem all over the world. there is no doubt that it will become an even greater problem in the future due to changes in life style and the environmental influences particularly these related to practice.

Breast cancer is the commonest type of cancer occurring 1n women and is the main cause of death from cancer. Earlv diagnosis of breast cancer has been considered of great imponance to the outcome of therapy as well as prognosis of the disease.

The polypeptide hormone known as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) is a primary mediator in bacterial, viral. and protozoal infection and tumours. Increased production of TNFo• has been postulated to be responsible for hypertriglyceridaemia and washing seen in cancer patients that can not be attributed to treatment or changes in diet.