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Elevated C‐reactive protein as a predictor of patient outcomes following palliative surgery
Author(s) -
Blakely Andrew M.,
Heffernan Daithi S.,
McPhillips Jane,
Cioffi William G.,
Miner Thomas J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.23682
Subject(s) - medicine , palliative care , palliative surgery , quality of life (healthcare) , surgery , prospective cohort study , complication , cancer , elective surgery , nursing
Background and Objectives Optimal surgical decision‐making and informed consent for palliative procedures is limited by a lack of appropriate outcomes data. Elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) may help guide patient selection for palliative surgery. Methods Procedures to palliate symptoms of advanced cancer were identified from a prospective palliative surgery database. Patients with a recorded preoperative serum CRP were identified and observed for at least 180 days or until death. Results Fifty patients were identified who underwent an elective palliative procedure from July 2006 to June 2012. Presenting symptoms included gastrointestinal obstruction (40%), tumor‐related pain (38%) or bleeding (12%), and other (10%). Symptom improvement was documented for 37 patients (74%). Palliative procedures were associated with 30‐day postoperative morbidity (42%) and mortality (10%). CRP (range 1–144 mg/L, median 9.7 mg/L) was elevated in 27 patients (54%) and was independently associated with developing a major complication ( P = 0.005) and decreased overall survival (166 vs. 659 days, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Patients with advanced cancer can be afforded symptom improvement and the opportunity for improved quality of life following palliative procedures. Elevated preoperative CRP may help identify patients who are less likely to realize the benefits of palliative operations. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:651–655 . © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.