Comprehensive analysis of red blood cell distribution width as a preoperative prognostic predictor in gastric cancer

Abstract

Background/Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of the preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) value on the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of gastric cancer patients. Patients and Methods: A total of 366 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, RDW was evaluated in 165 non-elderly and 201 elderly patients. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that pathological stage (pStage), RDW, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), were independent prognostic factors of OS, while pStage and RDW were independent prognostic factors of CSS. In non-elderly patients, based on the multivariate analysis, pStage, adjuvant chemotherapy, and RDW were identified as independent prognostic factors of OS. In elderly patients, RDW was identified as independent prognostic factors of OS and CSS. Conclusion: Preoperative RDW is a promising independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer.