When you are starting your cancer treatment, you will encounter yourself with various test terms, and it might get overwhelming. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): ESR is a simple yet significant blood test that can give results with various clues about the body. For cancer patients, ESR levels can be an important health marker, which offers insights into how the disease is progressing and how treatment is working.

In this blog, we will go through every detail related to ESR that people usually question and feel is hard to understand. Plus, we’ll tell you how August’s Health Assistant on WhatsApp can give personalized support in managing and giving you various health-related advice. 

What Is ESR?

ESR stands for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, a blood test used to measure how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. A blood test that measures inflammation in the body. Inflammation in the body causes these cells to clump together and sink more rapidly. If the ESR results are high, then it indicates any type of inflammation in the body; it can also be cancer. For general diagnosis as well, ESR is a valuable test. It lets doctors understand the rate of inflammation in a patient's body. 

Why do ESR levels matter for cancer patients?

For cancer patients, ESR can offer crucial insights. Cancer can cause inflammation in the body, and ESR tests show high inflammation. This is why the ESR test is very important. ESR can also help in tracking the effectiveness of cancer treatments and provide an early warning if something isn’t going as expected.

In some types of cancer, ESR levels tend to be higher because these cancers are associated with increased inflammation, such as lymphoma or multiple myeloma. 

How ESR Levels Vary by Cancer Type

ESR levels vary for every type of cancer. In blood cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, or multiple myeloma, ESR levels are significantly high because these types of cancers are directly associated with high inflammation. On the other hand, solid tumors, such as breast or lung cancer, may not always cause a major ESR spike unless complications like infections arise. For other types of cancer, such as myeloma, doctors may do the tests to understand the ongoing medication progression. 

ESR Levels by Stage of Cancer

The stage of cancer also plays a role in ESR levels. In early-stage cancers, ESR might not be as elevated, whereas more advanced or metastatic cancers can cause significant spikes due to the body’s inflammatory response to disease spread. 

Interpreting ESR Levels in Cancer Patients

"Normal” ESR levels depend on various factors, including age, gender, and overall health. Generally, normal ESR levels are:

• 0-15 mm/hr for men under 50

• 0-20 mm/hr for women under 50

• Slightly higher levels are normal for older adults

For cancer patients, an increased level of ESR doesn’t always indicate cancer is worsening—it could result from various other factors, such as an infection, treatment side effects, or other non-cancerous causes. That's why ESR results are often interpreted alongside other tests such as scans, blood markers, or biopsies.

ESR Levels and Cancer Treatment

One of the key uses of ESR in cancer treatment is to determine how well cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are working in the patient’s body. If ESR level drops, then it might indicate that inflammation caused by cancer is reducing and the treatment is working. But if the ESR level gets higher, it might mean the inflammation in the body is still progressing. For example, in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, high ESR levels are often associated with a worse prognosis. However, when treatment is successful, ESR tends to decrease, signaling improvement.

Can ESR alone diagnose or predict cancer? 

Although ESR is one of the important factors to test the progression of cancer, its alone is not enough. High ESR levels may result from various factors, such as autoimmune disease, etc. That’s why doctors use ESR along with other diagnostic tools, like imaging scans or specific tumor markers, to get a comprehensive view of a patient’s health. ESR is most useful as a combined test series along with other markers. Then it helps doctors diagnose cancer progression. 

How August’s Health Assistant Can Help

August is there because here we understand how tough it gets to take control and analyse and monitor everything in cancer. With 24/7 personalized advice, August. AI will help you by becoming your personal health assistant. It will answer every query you might have or had. 

Whether you’re trying to understand your latest test results or simply need reassurance about your treatment plan, August’s Health Assistant is here to provide every type of advice and mental support. August can empower you to take an active role in your cancer care.

Conclusion

ESR is an important test in cancer treatment, although it’s alone can’t depict anything. It provides critical information about inflammation and how the body is responding to cancer and its treatment. By staying informed about your ESR levels, you can gain greater control over your health and treatment decisions.

You don’t have to go through this alone—reach out to August’s Health Assistant today for personalized guidance on managing your ESR levels and other health markers. 

Chat with us on WhatsApp to stay proactive in your cancer care journey.