Postoperative better than preoperative C-reactive protein at predicting outcome after potentially curative nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

Urology. 2010 Sep;76(3):766.e1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2010.01.052. Epub 2010 Apr 14.

Abstract

Objectives: Preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) predicts metastasis and mortality in localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the predictive potential of after resection of localized RCC remains unclear. Therefore, we assessed the absolute ability of postoperative CRP to predict metastases and mortality as a continuous variable.

Methods: Patients with clinically localized (T1-T3N0M0) clear-cell RCC were followed for 1 year postoperatively. Metastases were identified radiologically and mortality by death certificate. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses examined 1 year relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) across patient and disease characteristics.

Results: Of the 110 patients in this study, 16.4% developed metastases and 6.4% died. Mean (SD) postoperative CRP for patients who did and did not develop metastases were 69.06 (73.55) mg/L and 5.27 (7.80), respectively. Mean (SD) postoperative CRP for patients who did and did not die were 89.31 (69.51) mg/L and 10.88 (30.32), respectively. In multivariate analysis, T-stage (OR: 12.452, 95% CI: 2.889-53.660) and postoperative CRP ((B: .080, SE: .025; P < .001) were significant predictors of RFS. T-Stage (OR: 11.715; 95% CI: 1.102-124.519) and postoperative CRP (B: .017; SE: .007; P < .001) were also significant predictors of OS. After adjusting for postoperative CRP, preoperative CRP was not predictive of these outcomes.

Conclusions: Postoperative, not preoperative, CRP is the better predictor of metastasis and mortality following nephrectomy for localized RCC. Clinicians should consider absolute postoperative CRP to identify high-risk patients for closer surveillance or additional therapy. Predictive algorithms should consider incorporating postoperative CRP as a continuous variable to maximize predictive ability.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Nephrectomy*
  • Postoperative Period
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Preoperative Period
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • C-Reactive Protein