Prediction of lymph node metastasis in colon cancer via platelet to lymphocyte ratio and platelet count

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the value of preoperative blood tests in predicting lymph node metastasis in colon cancer patients undergoing surgery. Study Design: Obervational study. Place and Duration of Study: General Surgery Department, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Medicine School, Turkey, between December 2012 and December 2018. Methodology: In 171 colon cancer patients, preoperative inflammatory markers such as albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) counts were determined. Results: The present study albumin, CRP and NLR values were also not significantly different between the groups. PLR (p=0.008) and PLT (p=0.039) were significantly different between the lymph node groups. ROC analysis was performed for PLT and PLR for the prediction of lymph node metastasis (Group 2 and 3). Accuracy for PLT was 0.623 and accuracy for PLR was 0.65. A PLT value >321.5 was found to be 63.7% sensitive and 68.6% specific in predicting lymph node metastasis. A PLR value >155.81 was 70% sensitive and 41% specific for predicting lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: The platelet counts and PLR values are important in predicting lymph node metastasis in colon cancer, preoperatively. Platelet and PLR values may be more specific and sensitive in predicting preoperative lymph node metastasis in colon cancer patients.