BACKGROUND/AIMS: Complete resection of tumors is possible after heavy chemotherapy in a few patients with unresectable colorectal cancer (UCRC). This study evaluated the ability of new prognostic score to identify such patients. METHODOLOGY: Four peripheral blood markers were evaluated in 50 patients diagnosed with UCRC at the time of patients' first visit to the hospital: C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (ALB), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Each was scored +1 or 0 for that marker. For example, when patient shows CRP ≥ 1.0 mg/dL, ALB 3.5 g/dL, NLR ≥ 5, and CEA ≥ 10 ng/mL, his score is +4. Thus, patients' scores could range from 0 to +4. RESULTS: The median survival time (MST) of the 15 patients with scores 0 and +1 was longer than that of the 35 with scores +2, +3, and +4 (35 vs. 6 months, P < 0.001). R0 operation after treatment was performed in 2 patients (4%) with score 0 and +1. CONCLUSION: Our prognostic score is useful in selecting patients with UCRC who will survive.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Complete resection of tumors is possible after heavy chemotherapy in a few patients with unresectable colorectal cancer (UCRC). This study evaluated the ability of new prognostic score to identify such patients. METHODOLOGY: Four peripheral blood markers were evaluated in 50 patients diagnosed with UCRC at the time of patients' first visit to the hospital: C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (ALB), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Each was scored +1 or 0 for that marker. For example, when patient shows CRP ≥ 1.0 mg/dL, ALB 3.5 g/dL, NLR ≥ 5, and CEA ≥ 10 ng/mL, his score is +4. Thus, patients' scores could range from 0 to +4. RESULTS: The median survival time (MST) of the 15 patients with scores 0 and +1 was longer than that of the 35 with scores +2, +3, and +4 (35 vs. 6 months, P < 0.001). R0 operation after treatment was performed in 2 patients (4%) with score 0 and +1. CONCLUSION: Our prognostic score is useful in selecting patients with UCRC who will survive.