To examine whether prealbumin can predict metachronous liver metastases (MLM) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), highlighting its potential clinical significance.
Key Findings:
52 patients in the primary cohort and 33 in the validation cohort developed MLM after surgery, with statistical significance noted.
MLM group had significantly lower prealbumin levels compared to non-MLM group (p-value).
Advanced tumor stage and positive lymph node stage were more prevalent in the MLM group.
Interpretation:
Lower prealbumin levels are associated with a higher risk of developing MLM in CRC patients, indicating its potential as a predictive biomarker and its implications for patient management.
Limitations:
Study limited to two hospitals in China, which may affect generalizability and introduce selection bias.
Follow-up duration may not capture all late recurrences, potentially underestimating MLM incidence.
Conclusion:
Prealbumin levels can serve as a predictive factor for subsequent liver metastases in CRC patients post-surgery, suggesting a need for monitoring in clinical practice.
