Purpose: To evaluate the changes in lipid and lipoprotein patterns in adult patients with haematological cancers with any possible risk of cardiovascular event.

Patients and Methods: The clinico-pathological types of haematological cancers, body mass index and ages of the of all 74 haematological cancer patients attending University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria between January 2005 and September 2008 were evaluated. The serum lipid and liporprotein levels of the blood samples collected from the patients were assayed. The data were analysed and compared statistically with those of 45 health control subjects.

Results: The mean serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein in the patients (2.5±1.0mmol/l and 1.5±1.0mmol/l) were significantly lower than those of controls (4.1±1.1mmol/l and 2.4±1.1mmol/l), respectively (p=0.0004). However, the mean serum triglyceride of the patients was significantly higher than the controls (p=0.007).

Conclusion: Patients presenting with haematological malignancies have reduced levels of total serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol but elevated level of serum triglyceride.  

Keywords: Haematological cancers, lipids and lipoprotein, cardiovascular risk.