J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2008 Oct;24(5):351-356. 10.3393/jksc.2008.24.5.351.

Prognostic Value of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

• Kim YK
• Hong SW
• Chun JW
• Chang YG
• Paik IW
• Lee H

• KMID: 2198874
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3393/jksc.2008.24.5.351

Abstract

PURPOSE: Prognostic indicators are used increasingly in clinical trials and to guide surveillance for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The significance of a preoperative, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as a predictive indicator for malignancy and for prognosis in colorectal cancer has not been elucidated. Hence, the current study was conducted to evaluate the ESR as a prognostic indicator in patients with CRC.
METHODS
This study enrolled 232 patients who underwent surgery in our hospital between 1997 and 2004. ESR with clinicopathologic features and overall survival were evaluated retrospectively.
RESULTS
The ESRs of 139 patients were elevated, and those of 93 patients were normal. Elevated ESR was associated with the male gender, decreased hemoglobin, increased platelet count, high preoperative CEA, high preoperative CA19-9, tumor size (> or =5 cm), T stage, and TNM stage. Patients with elevated ESR had poorer survival (P=0.001), but a multivariate analysis did not reveal an elevated ESR as an independent factor for prognosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative elevation of ESR in patients with CRC suggests the presence of a tumor with aggressive behavior and a poor outcome.

Keyword

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Colorectal cancer; Prognosis; Survival

MeSH Terms

Blood Sedimentation
Colorectal Neoplasms
Erythrocytes
Hemoglobins
Humans
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Platelet Count
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Hemoglobins