Preoperative but not postoperative systemic inflammatory response correlates with survival in colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the preoperative and postoperative systemic inflammatory response and survival in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty patients with colorectal cancer were studied. Circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before surgery and in the immediate postoperative period.


RESULTS
The peak in CRP concentration occurred on day 2 (P < 0.001). During the course of the study 59 patients died, 30 from cancer and 29 from intercurrent disease. Day 2 CRP concentrations were dichotomized. In univariable analysis, advanced tumour node metastasis stage (P = 0.002), a raised preoperative CRP level (P < 0.001) and the presence of hypoalbuminaemia (P = 0.043) were associated with poorer cancer-specific survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative but not postoperative CRP concentrations are associated with poor tumour-specific survival in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.
Crozier
J E M
JE
University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK.
McKee
R F
RF
McArdle
C S
CS
Angerson
W J
WJ
Anderson
J H
JH
Horgan
P G
PG
McMillan
D C
DC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000401:mortality*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein