Serum fibrinogen levels are positively correlated with advanced tumor stage and poor survival in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy: a large cohort retrospective study

Background: Platelet and blood coagulation abnormalities frequently occur in cancer patients. Fibrinogen is an important hemostatic factor that regulates the hemostatic pathway. Hyperfibrinogenemia is increasing recognized as an important risk factor influencing cancer development and outcome. However, few reports have investigated the prognostic potential of fibrinogen for predicting the survival of gastric cancer (GC) patients. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative serum fibrinogen as a biomarker for predicating tumor progression and survival of patients with GC. Patients and methods: This retrospective study was conducted in GC patients who underwent gastrectomy from 2005 to 2007. Patient demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels and median survival time (MST) were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate proportional hazard analysis of risk factors were used. Results: This study included 1196 patients (885 males and 311 females) with GC, more than half of whom had advanced GCs. Radical lymph node dissection was performed in 71.6 % of these patients. MST was 41.9 +/- 32. 4 months. Patient survival was significantly affected by family GC history (p < 0.05), lymph node dissection mode (p < 0.001), tumor size (>= 5 cm; p < 0.001), tumor location (p < 0.001), poor tumor differentiation (p < 0.001), tumor histologic classification (p < 0.001), extent of tumor invasion (p < 0.001), number of metastatic lymph nodes (p < 0.001), advanced stage of disease (p < 0.001), extended operation duration (> 150 min; p < 0.001), higher operative bleeding volume (> 200 ml; p < 0.001), postoperative transfusion, preoperative serum fibrinogen levels, CEA levels and CA 19-9 levels (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that the independent prognostic factors significantly associated with poor survival included non-radical lymph node dissection, palliative lymph node dissection, multi-organ involvement, advanced TNM stages, poor tumor differentiation, higher preoperative serum fibrinogen levelsand higher CA19-9 levels. Conclusions: Serum fibrinogen levels are positively correlated with advanced tumor stages and poor survival in GC patients undergoing gastrectomy. Preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels are an independent risk factor for survival in these patients. Serum fibrinogen is a useful biomarker for patients with clinically advanced GC.