Medicinal, Psychological, and Health Research Journal (MPHRJ)

Clinical Significance of Preoperative Serum Albumin Levels in Predicting Survival After Surgery in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Resection

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyed Vahid Seyed Hoseini 1
Ali Reza Nasseri 2

1 Assistant Professor of Surgery, Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Radiotherapy, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

10.22034/mphrj.2026.587085.1107
Abstract
Introduction: Colorectal cancer surgery outcomes are influenced not only by tumor characteristics but also by the patient’s nutritional and inflammatory status. Serum albumin, a widely available biomarker, reflects both physiological reserve and systemic inflammation and has been linked to postoperative prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of preoperative serum albumin levels in predicting survival after colorectal cancer surgery.

Material and methods: This observational analytical study was conducted in 2025 at hospitals affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 85 colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgical resection were enrolled using convenience sampling. Demographic characteristics, clinical variables, tumor features, preoperative serum albumin levels, and postoperative survival outcomes were collected and analyzed to evaluate the prognostic value of albumin.

Results: Among 85 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery, hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) was present in 36.47%. Lower albumin was associated with higher BMI (P = 0.041) and advanced tumor stage (P = 0.032). Patients with low albumin had shorter survival (24.83 ± 9.71 vs 33.47 ± 11.26 months; P = 0.006) and higher mortality (35.48% vs 16.67%; P = 0.047). Hypoalbuminemia independently predicted mortality (HR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.29–4.73; P = 0.006) with good ROC performance (AUC = 0.80).

Conclusion: Preoperative hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with poorer survival after colorectal cancer surgery and remained an independent predictor of mortality. These findings highlight the importance of assessing nutritional and inflammatory status before surgery. Serum albumin, as a simple and accessible biomarker, may assist clinicians in identifying high risk patients and improving preoperative risk stratification.

Graphical Abstract

Clinical Significance of Preoperative Serum Albumin Levels in Predicting Survival After Surgery in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Resection

Keywords

Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Serum Albumin
Prognostic Biomarker
Postoperative Survival
Subjects
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Medicinal, Psychological, and Health Research Journal (MPHRJ)
Volume 2, Issue 6
November and December 2026
Pages 419-428

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