European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

INFLUENCE OF PREOPERATIVE ALBUMIN LEVELS ON POSTOPERATIVE RECOVERY AND COMPLICATIONS IN COLORECTAL CANCER SURGERIES

Abdullah Akef Abu Anzeh MD*, Ahmad Hussein Telfah MD, Ahmad Ibrahim Abdallah Alarman MD, Abdallah Hisham Khalid Khamash MD, Hemam Saleh Abdel Mahdi Al Sarayreh RN, Doaa Akef Mahmod Abu Anzeh RN, Nehaya Raji Helal RN, Ghada Ali Khalaf Ramadneh RN and Ahmad Uraiqat MD

ABSTRACT

Background: Linking hematologic, immunological, and nutritional measures with cancer prognosis is becoming increasingly common. Albumin is the most common blood protein and serve an important role in various diseases. Recent literature suggests an effect of albumin levels on cancer outcomes and mortality. Purpose: In this retrospective, single-center study, we aim to study the association between preoperative serum albumin levels and postoperative outcomes and complications in CRC patients who underwent surgical resection in Jordan. Methods: We will carry out a retrospective study including CRC patients from King Hussein Medical Center (KHMC), Amman, Jordan between the period 2016 to 2024. Patients’ data will be collected through hospital records for the following demographic and clinical variables: age, gender, body-mass index (BM), smoking history, type of CRC surgery (Elective or emergency), mode of surgery (Laparoscopic, or open), preoperative albumin levels, and postoperative complications. Results: We included 573 colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 65% of patients, and 24.6% experienced postoperative complications, with a 1% mortality rate. Patients were stratified based on their preoperative albumin levels as hypoalbuminemia (20.6%), hyperalbuminemia (0.7%), and normal (78.7%). Patients with hypoalbuminemia had significantly longer hospital stays and higher rates of postoperative complications and mortality. Logistic regression revealed that lower albumin levels were significantly associated with increased mortality, while higher albumin levels correlated with lower postoperative stoma incidence. Conclusion: This is the first study in Jordan to examine the prognostic value of preoperative serum albumin levels on CRC surgery. Our findings indicate that low serum albumin levels can be an independent predictor of poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates. These results suggest that serum albumin could be a cost-effective and accessible method for predicting colorectal cancer prognosis.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Blood biomarkers, Albumin, complications, Jordan.