1637 - Combination of Serum Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein Level as a Diagnostic Marker of Discriminating Infection from Neoplastic Fever in Febrile Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Neoplastic fever in lung cancer is assessed on clinical course only, and is difficult to discriminate from infection. Objective To evaluate the diagnostic role of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in discriminating neoplastic fever and infection. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 112 consecutive febrile episodes of 52 patients (39 males, mean age 67.1y/o), who were diagnosed as lung cancer from November 2009 to April 2012 at our Saiseikai Central Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Based on clinical, laboratory, and bacteriological results, patients were classified as having neoplastic fever (NF, n = 53), suspected or definite bacterial infection (BI, n = 59). Values of white blood cell count (WBC), PCT, and CRP were measured on day 1 of onset of fever. Microbiological specimen and radiological imaging study were also performed to diagnose infectious diseases or other febrile conditions. Results The most common infection was pneumonia (38.4 %). Mean WBC (12000 vs. 14800) were not statistically significant. Mean values of PCT were significantly higher in patients with BI compared with NF (0.14 vs. 3.95 ng/ml, p Conclusions Combination of PCT and CRP on the day of onset of fever is useful in discriminating neoplastic fever from infection in febrile lung cancer patients. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.