The prognostic significance of acute phase proteins in patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the bronchus.

In 95 patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the bronchus, nine potential serum "markers" were analysed for their prognostic significance. Lactate dehydrogenase, alpha 1 HS-glycoprotein, ferritin, carcino-embryonic antigen and immunoglobulin E did not prove to be useful as prognostic indices. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the acute phase proteins alpha 1 acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein and prealbumin were correlated with survival. After taking the performance status and tumour stage into account, C-reactive protein still proved to be a strong prognosticator. The clinical relevance of the acute phase proteins signifying a so-called "biochemical status" next to the "clinical status" is discussed.