C-reactive protein serum levels are closely associated with lymph node status, but not with prognosis in patients with vulvar cancer

Abstract

Objective To evaluate whether C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels can be used as prognostic parameter in patients with vulvar cancer. Study design CRP serum levels were measured at the time of first diagnosis of squamous cell vulvar cancer. Sixty-seven patients were enrolled; results were correlated to clinical data. Results Mean CRP serum levels in patients with vulvar cancer were 0.8 (0.80) mg/dL. CRP serum levels were significantly associated with lymph node involvement ( p = 0.003), but not with tumor stage ( p = 0.03), histological grade ( p = 0.86) and patients’ age ( p = 0.64). Univariate analysis showed lymph node involvement, tumor stage and histological grade, but not CRP serum levels and patients’ age to be associated with overall survival. A multivariable analysis determined only lymph node involvement as independent prognostic parameter for disease-free interval and overall survival. Conclusion CRP serum levels are closely associated with lymph node status but cannot be used as prognostic parameter in patients with vulvar cancer.