Prognostic value of the D-dimer test in oesophageal cancer during the perioperative period

Background There has been little research on the perioperative D-dimer levels in oesophageal cancer patients. Plasma D-dimer levels can be used to predict the outcome in cancer patients. Methods A cancer group of 66 oesophageal cancer patients and a control group of 12 patients with benign disease were enrolled in this cohort study. The plasma D-dimer levels during the pre-operation and 3rd and 9th day post-operation periods were prospectively examined and analysed between the two groups. Plasma D-dimer levels were also compared with the clinicopathological characteristics and 3-year survival of the oesophageal cancer patients. Results Plasma D-dimer levels increased in both groups after surgery, but they were significantly higher in the cancer group. In oesophageal cancer patients, pre-operation plasma D-dimer levels were significantly higher in TNM stage IV patients. Perioperative plasma D-dimer levels significantly increased after surgery, and the survival was shortened in those patients whose D-dimer levels on the 3rd and 9th post-operative day above the median. In addition, increased plasma D-dimer levels at the 3rd and 9th days after surgery were influenced by the patient's age. Conclusion In oesophageal cancer patients, D-dimer levels increased after surgery, and the increases were associated with poor outcomes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013 108:34-41. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.