Post-operative outcome & disease-free survival among patients of breast cancer with raised C - reactive protein

Amir Iqbal Memon; Aisha Masroor Bhatti; Ramsha Khan; Maira Sangrasi; Sheraz Malik; Hira Mughal

doi:10.29052/2413-4252.v7.i1.2021.21-25

Authors

Amir Iqbal Memon Department of General Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro-Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4336-8150
Aisha Masroor Bhatti Department of General Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro-Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1940-047X
Ramsha Khan Department of General Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro-Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3563-2281
Maira Sangrasi Department of General Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro-Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1693-6543
Sheraz Malik Department of General Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro-Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3411-8459
Hira Mughal Department of Dermatology, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro-Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3105-6632

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29052/2413-4252.v7.i1.2021.21-25

Keywords:

C - reactive protein (CRP), Advanced Breast Cancer, Disease Free Survival (DFS), Post-Operative Wound Infection, Dehiscence.

Abstract

Background: Cancer and inflammation have a bidirectional association; chronic inflammation is considered a major contributor to carcinogenesis. C - reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory protein produced by the liver, has been identified as an important prognostic marker among breast cancer patients. This study aimed to elucidate the role of C-reactive protein as an inflammatory prognostic predictor in breast cancer patients and its impact on disease-free survival (DFS).

Methodology: This prospective cohort study included 80 locally advanced breast cancer (stage II and III) patients presenting at the Department of General Surgery (Unit II), Liaquat University Hospital - Jamshoro/Hyderabad. Patient data, including demographics, stage and hormone status of breast cancer, metastatic workup, pre-operative CRP, post-operative complications and DFS on follow-ups including recurrence, metastasis and post-surgery skin manifestation, were recorded using a structured questionnaire. The statistical analysis was conducted on SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Pre-operatively, a mildly raised serum CRP level was observed in 71.25% of patients and highly raised in 28.5%. The post-operative complications were observed in 12 participants with wound infection in 8, wound dehiscence in 3 and sepsis in only 1 participant. The DFS, including recurrence-free and metastatic-free survival, were observed in 69 participants

Conclusion: After thorough observation, it can be concluded that the raised CRP level is a significant predictor for post-operative complications (wound infection, dehiscence, and sepsis) and disease-free survival among patients with locally advanced breast cancer.