INFLAMMATION AND METASTASES

Results of experimental studies on cancer dissemination, as well as ce rtain clinical observations, strongly suggest a relation between infla mmation and tumor spread. Surgical trauma and postoperative septic com plications can result in severe inflammation and in consequence worsen ing prognosis after curative surgery for colorectal cancer. Clinical s igns of inflammation, such as fever, elevated leucocytosis and/or C-re active protein seem to be of poor prognostic significance, heralding r ecurrence of cancer. If so, it could be hypothesized that non-steroida l anti-inflammatory drugs may play a beneficial role in reduction of c ancer relapses. To evaluate the above hypothesis, non-steroidal anti-i nflammatory drugs are suggested as an adjuvant postoperative treatment in a clinical trial on humans.