Changes in C-Reactive Protein, Albumin, and Hemoglobin in Breast Cancer Patients at the End-of-Life

Abstract

Objectives: In the present study, we retrospectively investigated how C-reactive protein, albumin, and hemoglobin changed in breast cancer patients in the 12 months before death.

Methods: We targeted 22 women (median age, 62) out of 1,411 patients who underwent breast cancer treatment from December 2005 to April 2014. Twelve of the patients (55%) were ER positive, and 6 (27%) were HER2 positive. C-reactive protein, albumin, and hemoglobin were measured 10–12 months, 7–9 months, 4–6 months, 2–3 months, and 1 month before death. In order to compare the average values in each period, pairwise multiple comparisons were performed.

Results: C-reactive protein was found to increase significantly between 12 months before death and 1 month before death (p<0.0001). Albumin declined significantly between 3 months before death and 1 month before death (p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin between 12 months before death and 1 month before death (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Breast cancer patients at the end-of-life showed obvious changes in C-reactive protein, albumin, and hemoglobin in the three months before death.