Significance of serum amyloid a on the prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evidence of systemic inflammation, i.e., elevation of serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and/or the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, is correlated to poorer prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Serum amyloid A (SAA) has been recognized mainly as acute-phase reactant. METHODS: Serum SAA from 72 patients with RCC were examined. Thirty-eight of 72 patients with RCC had elevated SAA compared with 17 healthy donors. RESULTS: The disease specific survival rate was significantly lower in the elevated SAA group, and SAA level was shown to be an independent prognostic factor by univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of serum SM level in RCC patients may be a useful prognostic indicator.