[Behavior of the "double erythrocyte sedimentation rate" in neoplastic pathology]

Special aspects of a particular ESR reading have been evaluated in a series of 273 patients admitted ver a number of years to the Departments of Surgical Anatomy and Operations Course and, thereafter, Surgical Symptomatology of the University of Milan (Head: Prof. Ugo Ruberti). The inhibitory phase of sedimentation observable in vitro is particularly and typically scanty in patients with malignant tumours. The negative results are also analysed critically, with mention of particular factors (metastasis, arteriopathies, etc.) of use in diagnosis and prognosis. In the light of present-day knowledge it is therefore considered that this "double" ESR reading points, with sufficient specificity, to an ongoing tumoral process.