Gastrin levels in patients with colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
In view of previous studies showing gastrin's trophic effects on tumor growth, the authors decided to investigate the relationship between fasting serum gastrin levels and the presence of colorectal carcinoma.


METHODS
Fifty-eight patients were studied: 19 controls who were blood bank donors, 19 patients with colorectal neoplasms, Dukes' Stage B or C, and 20 patients with advanced colorectal neoplasms (Dukes' Stage D). Pre-surgical and post-surgical serum gastrin levels were compared in patients with colorectal neoplasms (Dukes' Stage B or C).


RESULTS
The mean serum gastrin level was 32.3 pg/ml for the control group, 52.1 pg/ml for the second group and 49.5 pg/ml for the third group. There were no differences between patients before and after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
These results do not confirm the hypothesis that gastrin levels are elevated in colorectal cancer patients.
Fontanesi
B V
BV
Clinical Gastroentorolgy Division, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Boris
B
B
Delcio
M
M
Manoukian
F N
FN
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005755:Gastrins