What is the cause of persistent elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) inflammation years after lung cancer surgery and chemotherapy?

Persistent elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) years after lung cancer treatment may be due to several factors including chronic inflammation from tissue damage caused by surgery and chemotherapy, occult cancer recurrence, or unrelated inflammatory conditions. The most concerning possibility is cancer recurrence, which should be evaluated through comprehensive follow-up imaging (CT scans), blood work, and possibly PET scans if clinically indicated. Other common causes include autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, infections, or other inflammatory conditions that may have developed independently. Medications like NSAIDs (ibuprofen 400-800mg three times daily or naproxen 500mg twice daily) may temporarily reduce inflammation but won't address underlying causes. Patients should not ignore persistently elevated ESR and should consult their oncologist for proper evaluation, as ESR is a non-specific marker that requires clinical correlation. The inflammatory response can persist for months to years after tissue trauma from surgery and chemotherapy as the body continues healing processes, but persistent elevation warrants investigation to rule out serious conditions requiring intervention.