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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. CONCLUSION: Preoperative but not postoperative CRP concentrations are associated with poor tumour-specific survival in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.
Crozier et al. (2007) studied this question.