Purpose : Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a potent promoter of angiogenesis. Most colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC) express the EGF-receptor and many make EGF as well. EGF is thought to independently stimulate tumor growth in addition to promoting tumor angiogenesis. Blood EGF levels have been shown to be elevated in CRC patients. The early impact of minimally invasive colorectal resection (MICR) on EGF levels in the blood is unknown. This study’s purpose was to determine plasma EGF levels before and after MICR for CRC.
Methods : Clinical, operative and demographic data was collected. Blood samples were taken preoperatively (PO) and on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3 in all patients; in a subset samples were also taken between POD 7-35. EGF levels were determined via ELISA; the results are reported as the mean ±SD. The late samples (POD 7-14, POD 15-21, POD 21+) were bundled and considered as single time points. The students t-test was used after logarithmic transformation of the data to a normal distribution (significance, p
Session: Poster
Program Number: P135
