A prospective study of tumor recurrence and the acute-phase response after apparently curative colorectal cancer surgery.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 70% of patients who are going to develop tumor recurrence following curative colorectal surgery do so within 24 months of surgery.


METHODS
The relationship was prospectively examined between an ongoing acute-phase response and subsequent clinical relapse in 36 colorectal cancer patients who had undergone a curative resection. Approximately 4 months after their operation, patients were grouped according to the presence (n = 15) or absence (n = 21) of an acute-phase response (C-reactive protein > 5 mg/L) and were followed-up for a minimum of 24 months.


RESULTS
Age, tumor site, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen concentrations were similar in both groups. There was a significantly higher recurrence rate in patients with an acute-phase response (11 of 15) compared to those with no acute-phase response (2 of 21, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results are consistent with the presence of an acute-phase response being an important predictive factor in the early stages of tumor recurrence in patients who have had apparently curative colorectal surgery.
McMillan
D C
DC
University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Wotherspoon
H A
HA
Fearon
K C
KC
Sturgeon
C
C
Cooke
T G
TG
McArdle
C S
CS
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein