Serum level of C-reactive protein may be a marker for proliferation of esophageal carcinoma.

We herein show the significance of the serum level of C-reactive protein as an indicator of proliferation in esophageal carcinoma. The patient was a 70-year-old male with advanced squamous cell carcinoma in the lower location of the esophagus, and in whom an esophagectomy and reconstruction with a gastric tube through the intrathoracic route was performed. When he was later hospitalized again due to recurrent tumor, the serum C-reactive protein level was 5.0 mg/dL and it later increased to 10.8 mg/dL along with the proliferation of the tumor. After performing chemotherapy, the concentration of the serum C-reactive protein decreased to the negative level with a simultaneous improvement in his cachexic condition and the eventual disappearance of the tumor.