Related Experiment Videos
Gastrin levels in patients with colorectal cancer
B V Fontanesi1, B Boris, M Delcio
1Clinical Gastroentorolgy Division, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Background/Aims:
In view of previous studies showing gastrin's trophic effects on tumor growth, the authors decided to investigate the relationship between fasting serum gastrin levels and the presence of colorectal carcinoma.
Methodology:
Fifty-eight patients were studied: 19 controls who were blood bank donors, 19 patients with colorectal neoplasms, Dukes' Stage B or C, and 20 patients with advanced colorectal neoplasms (Dukes' Stage D). Pre-surgical and post-surgical serum gastrin levels were compared in patients with colorectal neoplasms (Dukes' Stage B or C).
Results:
The mean serum gastrin level was 32.3 pg/ml for the control group, 52.1 pg/ml for the second group and 49.5 pg/ml for the third group. There were no differences between patients before and after surgery.
Conclusion:
These results do not confirm the hypothesis that gastrin levels are elevated in colorectal cancer patients.