Publication:

Albumin, prealbumin and CRP levels can be used to predict prognosis in gastric cancer

Background malnutrition and systemic inflammatory response in cancers result in a shorter survival rate, reduced treatment response and a higher rate of complications associated with therapy. Prealbumin, albumin and CRP Levels has utility as a prognostic indicator of cancer survival in cancer. The objective of this study was to albumin, pre-albumin and CRP levels of the patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer were prospectively recorded and retrospectively evaluated.

Methods Study was done for period of 1 year in patients underwent surgery for gastric cancer. Details noted from records are as age, gender, duration of hospital stay, TNM stage, and preoperative albumin, pre-albumin and CRP levels.

Results A total number of 44 patients, 32 (72.7%) men and 12 (27.7%) women, were included in the study. The mean age was 64.1 (43-89) years. The mean duration of hospital stay was 12.8 (4-46) days. Preoperative albumin levels were below the expected range in 16 (41%) of 44 patients. Mean age of the patients with normal and decreased albumin levels was 62.7±12.8 and 65.3±12.3 years, respectively; albumin levels were insignificantly associated with the age (p = 0.54). When these 16 cases were evaluated in terms of disease stage-3 had 11(68.7%). Preoperative pre-albumin levels were decreased in 23 (53%) of 44 cases. Among the cases with decreased pre-albumin levels, stage 1 and 3 had 5 (21.7%) cases. There was a significant correlation between the TNM stage and pre-albumin levels (P = 0.014). CRP levels were elevated in 19 (43.2%) of 44 cases with CRP. Among these Stage-3 had 8 cases, 4 (42.1%). There was no significant correlation between disease stage, presence of metastatic lymph nodes and albumin levels (p>0.05).

Conclusions Preoperative albumin, pre-albumin and CRP levels can be useful to predict prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.