Pre-operative serum vascular endothelial growth factor can select patients for adjuvant treatment after curative resection in colorectal cancer
2000
Using Blood Tests to Predict Cancer Outcomes
Sample size: 81
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Chin K-F, Greenman J, Gardiner E, Kumar H, Topping K, Monson J
Primary Institution: The University of Hull, Hull, UK
Hypothesis
Can pre-operative serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) predict outcomes in colorectal cancer patients after surgery?
Conclusion
Pre-operative serum VEGF is a strong predictor of whether colorectal cancer patients will develop metastases after surgery.
Supporting Evidence
- Pre-operative serum VEGF was significantly higher in patients who developed metastases.
- At a level of 575 pg ml–1, serum VEGF was 64% sensitive and 89% specific in predicting metastases.
Takeaway
Doctors can check a blood test for a substance called VEGF to see if a patient might need extra treatment after their cancer surgery.
Methodology
Serum VEGF was measured using quantitative ELISA in patients before surgery.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 53 with node-negative and 28 with node-positive colorectal cancer.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.00001
Statistical Significance
p<0.00001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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