Methods: In a prospective, randomized study conducted between July 2007 and December 2008, serum CRP, prealbumin, and transferrin levels were determined 1-3 days prior to stent placement in 61 consecutive patients who underwent stent placement due to locally advanced disease or distant organ metastasis. All patients were followed until death.

Results: The stent was successfully placed in all patients and oral intake was restored. There was no procedure-related mortality. The mean survival period of the patients was 164.3±120.3 days (range 15 to 450 days). Whereas the mean survival period was 103.2±82.3 days in patients with a serum CRP level ≥10 mg/L (n=38), it was 265.4±121.2 days in patients with a serum CRP level <10 mg/L (n=23). While the mean survival period was 237.5±132.7 days in patients with a serum prealbumin level ≥15 mg/L (n=28), the mean survival period was 102.3±79.6 days in patients with a serum prealbumin level <15 mg/L (n=33). The mean survival period was 211.6±130.2 days in patients with a serum transferrin level ≥200 mg/L (n=25) while the mean survival period was 131.5±113.8 days in patients with a serum transferrin level <200 mg/L (n=36). The relationship between serum CRP, prealbumin, and transferrin levels in reference to survival was statistically significant (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.003, respectively).

Conclusion: Serum CRP, prealbumin, and transferrin levels can easily be measured prior to esophageal stent placement in patients with advanced stage esophageal cancer and the results may give an idea on the prognosis of the patients.