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. 1987 Feb;55(2):203–205. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1987.38

Serum retinol level in patients with colorectal premalignant and malignant lesions.

J Ostrowski, P Janik, M Nowacki, I Janczewska, M Przybyszewska, B Szaniawska, W Bartnik, E Butruk
PMCID: PMC2002087  PMID: 3814489

Abstract

Serum retinol levels were determined by a fluorometric method in patients with colorectal cancer or polyps and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Serum retinol levels in patients with benign or malignant colorectal polyps and stage B cancer (modified Dukes' classification) were similar to those found in controls. By contrast, serum retinol levels were significantly lower in patients with Dukes' stage C or D. Among cancer patients that were followed after surgical treatment serum retinol levels did not differ significantly from those found in controls. Patients who died of metastases during follow-up possessed very low serum retinol levels. These findings suggest that a decreased serum retinol level in cancer patients is a consequence rather than a precursor of the neoplastic process. Furthermore, this study suggests that the marked decrease in serum retinol level might be an indicator of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients after surgery.

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Selected References

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