Role of systemic inflammatory response in prognosis and survival after curative resection of colorectal cancer

ABSTRACT

Some studies have shown that the presence of a systemic inflammatory response, as evidenced by raised circulating concentrations of C. reactive protein [CRP] predicted recurrence and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the inflammatory response and prognosis and survival in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer. 90 patients considered to have undergone curative resection were studied. Circulating CRP concentration was measured before and after operation. The majority of patients were aged 65 years or more, had colonic tumours and Dukes stage B lesions. 23 patients had raised preoperative value, 11 [47.8%] of them, had raised concentration after operation. 67 patients with a normal preoperative value, 60 [89.5%] of them had normal postoperative value. During follow up, 17 [18.8%] patients developed recurrence and 25 [27. 7%] died. In patients who have undergone potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer the presence of a systemic inflammatory response predicts a poor outcome: