Background: The aim of the study is to estimate serum copper, and in patients with oral cancer. Higher incidence of oral cancer in Indian population necessitates in depth probing of various etiological and contributing factors for its early diagnosis and prognosis. Materials & methods: The present study included evaluation of serum copper and zinc levels in cancer patients. A total of 30 cancer patients and 30 apparently healthy controls were included in this study. Serum samples were obtained in the morning hours for standardization and were assessed for serum copper and zinc levels in both the study group and the control group. The results were analysed by SPSS software. Results: The mean of serum copper levels and zinc level of cancer patient group subjects were found to be significantly higher comparison to the mean serum and zinc levels of the control group. Conclusion: Serum levels of zinc and copper were higher in patients with oral cancer compared with controls. It can be suggested that assessment of oral precancer and cancer patients may help in earlier diagnosis and/or prognosis. Keywords: copper, zinc, serum, trace elements.