Mean platelet volume as a possible biomarker of tumor progression in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer is a major cause of death and an early diagnosis is crucial in decreasing mortality. Previous studies found a relation between chronic inflammation and increased risk of rectal cancer. It was shown that mean platelet volume (MPV) level might be a marker of subclinical inflammatory process in gastrointestinal tract. OBJECTIVE: To determinate whether MPV could be a useful biomarker of tumor progression in the rectal cancer. METHODS: One hundred and three patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection of tumor were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 98 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The association between MPV, tumor stage and clinical status were assessed. The analysis proved that pre-operative MPV level was significantly lower in rectal cancer vs. healthy individuals (10.65 +/- 0.79 vs. 11.41 +/- 0.76 fL; p < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis suggested 11.3 as the cut-off value for MPV ( sensitivity = 83%; specificity = 54%; AUC = 0.745). Surgical resection of tumor resulted in the increase of the MPV level with statistical significance (10.65 +/- 0.79 fL vs. 11.21 +/- 0.82 fL; p < 0.001). No relationship was found between the post-operative MPV level in cancer patients and control subjects. CONLUSION: MPV level may be potentially useful and easily available biomarker for monitoring subclinical inflammation related to rectal cancer and predicting tumor progression.