Abstract

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is frequently normal in cancer patients. Cancer is rarely obscure when erythrocyte sedimentation rate is high. However, critically high erythrocyte sedimentation rate values are observed in metastatic cancers. In this study, 107 of 108 patients with solid cancer whose erythrocyte sedimentation rate value is above 100 mm/h had metastases and extensive local invasion. Simultaneously, 11 cases (10.20%) had infection, 3 (2.8%) had secondary malignancy and 1(1%) had portal vein thrombosis. Metastasis could be present in almost all of the cancer patients with high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Tumor and tissue factors may be responsible for high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Presence of accompanying diseases may be one of the contributing factors on high erythrocyte sedimentation rate in cancer patients.