BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated whether the serum Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) levels in venous blood drainage specimens were associated with the prognosis and risk of liver metastasis in patients with resectable colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: From 88 patients with colorectal cancer, specimens of venous blood drainage were obtained during operation. The serum TP levels were measured by a highly sensitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: Subsequently, 88 patients were divided into two groups based on the levels of TP. The dividing line was determined to be 55ng/mL. The TP-high group (> 55ng/mL) had a significantly shorter overall survival than the TP-low group (< 55ng/mL). A multivariate analysis indicated that the serum TP level in venous blood drainage specimens to be a better prognostic factor independent of the traditional pathologic parameters. The serum TP levels of 3 patients with metachronous liver metastasis were high (> 55ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the serum TP levels in venous blood drainage specimens reflect the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection, particularly the risk of liver metastasis.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated whether the serum Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) levels in venous blood drainage specimens were associated with the prognosis and risk of liver metastasis in patients with resectable colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: From 88 patients with colorectal cancer, specimens of venous blood drainage were obtained during operation. The serum TP levels were measured by a highly sensitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: Subsequently, 88 patients were divided into two groups based on the levels of TP. The dividing line was determined to be 55ng/mL. The TP-high group (> 55ng/mL) had a significantly shorter overall survival than the TP-low group (< 55ng/mL). A multivariate analysis indicated that the serum TP level in venous blood drainage specimens to be a better prognostic factor independent of the traditional pathologic parameters. The serum TP levels of 3 patients with metachronous liver metastasis were high (> 55ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the serum TP levels in venous blood drainage specimens reflect the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection, particularly the risk of liver metastasis.