Elevated serum C-reactive protein level predicts a poor prognosis for recurrent gastric cancer

BACKGROUNDS High serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was found to be associated with poor prognosis in kinds of solid tumors, however, its role in the recurrent gastric cancer (RGC) is unknown. The present study aimed to explore the prognostic value of serum CRP in RGC patients. METHODS A total 72 RGC patients who underwent radical surgery from January 2005 to May 2008 were enrolled. The clinical, pathological and survival information were collected. The serum CRP level was measured when the recurrence was confirmed, and the association between serum CRP and clinicopathological characters was analyzed. The prognostic value of serum CRP for RGC was investigated. RESULTS The serum CRP was elevated in 39 patients (H-CRP), while 33 patients were within the normal range (N-CRP).The elevated CRP was associated with Lymph node metastasis (p = 0.003) and tumor size (p = 0.004). The median survival time after recurrence was significantly worse in the H-CRP group than N-CRP group (6.5 months vs. 11.5 months, p = 0.012). Multivariate analyses identified that elevated CRP level (HR=2.325, p < 0.001), time to recurrence (HR = 0.466, p=0.033), and the follow-up treatment (HR = 2.650, p=0.001) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS High serum CRP level was associated with aggressive pathological features, was an independent poor prognostic factors for RGC, which might be a potential prognostic marker for RGC patients.