C reactive protein in pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.
Serum C reactive protein was determined in 30 control subjects, 32 patients with pancreatic cancer, 28 with chronic pancreatitis and 23 with extra-pancreatic diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The aim was to ascertain possible alterations of this index in chronic pancreatic disease and to speculate on some influencing factors. Higher C reactive protein levels were found in pancreatic cancer as compared to controls. Pancreatic cancer patients with systemic metastases had higher levels of this index compared to those with non-metastatic disease. Raised concentrations of C reactive protein were detected in 7/28 subjects with chronic pancreatitis. In this group these higher levels were found in patients in a relapsing phase of the disease; no association was observed with pancreatic pseudocysts. Among all subjects a correlation was found, between C reactive protein and age; patients with abnormal fasting blood glucose levels or increased white blood cell count had higher levels of this protein as compared to the remaining patients. We may conclude that C reactive protein increases in pancreatic cancer, specially in relation to tumour extent; in chronic pancreatitis it reflects the inflammatory status of the gland. While acting in the context of the acute phase response, this test may provide an adjunct in evaluating patients with a chronic pancreatic disease.
Basso
D
D
Istituto Di Medicina Interna, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, Italia.
Fabris
C
C
Meani
A
A
Del Favero
G
G
Vianello
D
D
Angonese
C
C
Meggiato
T
T
Bellinvia
S
S
Fogar
P
P
Petrin
P
P
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein