Complete blood count parameters and inflammation-related biomarkers in patients with colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in complete blood count parameters (CBC) and inflammation-related biomarkers, MPV/PC, PLR, NLR, LWR, LMR, NMR, and LCR, among patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and patients with colorectal adenomas. The study included 155 patients who were divided into two groups according to histopathological analysis - 74 adenomas patients and 81 CRC patients. A routine examination of CBC was conducted on Sysmex XN1000 whereas CRP was measured on Alinity ci-series. Statistical analysis was performed by ROC curve analysis using MedCalc Statistical Software. In CRC patients, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were lower, while RDW was higher (p < 0.001), compared to patients with adenomas. Total leukocyte count (p = 0 .006), absolute neutrophils (p = 0.005), and absolute monocytes (p = 0.007) were lower while relative eosinophils (p = 0.001) and relative basophils (p = 0.001) were higher in CRC patients. Platelet count (p < 0.001) was significantly higher and MPV (p = 0.003) was significantly lower in CRC patients. Furthermore, MPV/PC (p < 0.001) was significantly lower and PLR (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in CRC. Moreover, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed poor diagnostic accuracy, for all tested parameters (AUC was 0.7 or less). PC, MPV, MPV/PC, and PLR were significantly different between study groups, but ROC analysis revealed poor diagnostic accuracy. Lower hemo globin levels in CRC patients are possibly due to more frequent and excessive bleeding. Higher levels of basophils and eosinophils in CRC patients are indicators of inflammatory reaction, which is linked to CRC.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; complete blood count; inflammation-related biomarkers.