Prognostic value of mean platelet volume in glioblastoma multiforme

Abstract

Objectives: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. Despite optimal treatment (maximal surgical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy), the prognosis is very poor. Beside known prognostic factors, there is no method at the time of diagnosis to predict recurrence. We aimed to identify mean platelet volume (MPV) as an indicator of prognosis in GBM. Methods: One hundred and seven patients who were diagnosed with GBM histopathologically, admitted to the medical oncology clinic were included. MPV values were recorded for all patients at diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic impact of MPV. Results: Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients belonging to the high-MPV group had a worse median OS (14 month versus 20 month, P=0.004). MPV was an independent prognostic factor in GBM. Conclusions: MPV is a cheap, easily accessible and reproducible test that can be used prognostically in GBM patients before treatment.