title: Expression of C-Reactive Protein in Rectal Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The possible involvement of inflammation on colorectal carcinogenesis has potential prognostic, preventive and therapeutic implications. We investigated immunohistochemically whether C-reactive protein is expressed in human primary rectal adenocarcinoma and assessed its relationship with clinicopathological findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one rectal cancer samples and 22 normal control samples were immunohistochemically analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cell accumulation of C-reactive protein was observed in 65 (71%) out of 91 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma and in all 22 control cases (p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed regarding to clinicopathological features or survival rates, but a linear correlation between the positivity proportion of C-reactive protein and Dukes-Turnbull stage (p = 0.005) was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that C-reactive protein might play a role in rectal carcinogenesis, but seems not to affect prognosis. Additional studies are warranted in larger population samples.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Programme in Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Ramiro Barcelos, 2400 - 2° andar, Santa Cecília, Porto Alegre, RS, PO 90.035-930 Brazil; Division of Coloproctology, Department of Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 - sl 600, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, PO 90.035-930 Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo de Carvalho
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Contu
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Programme in Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Ramiro Barcelos, 2400 - 2° andar, Santa Cecília, Porto Alegre, RS, PO 90.035-930 Brazil.
authors.forename: Simone Santana
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Contu
authors.affiliation: Division of Coloproctology, Department of Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 - sl 600, Santa Cecilia, Porto Alegre, RS, PO 90.035-930 Brazil.
authors.forename: Mario Antonello
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rosito
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Programme in Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Ramiro Barcelos, 2400 - 2° andar, Santa Cecília, Porto Alegre, RS, PO 90.035-930 Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Moreira
keywords: C-reactive protein; Carcinogenesis; Immunohistochemical expression; Inflammation; Rectal cancer