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

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.

To determinate whether MPV could be a useful biomarker of tumor progression in the rectal cancer.

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.

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.

MPV level may be potentially useful and easily available biomarker for monitoring subclinical inflammation related to rectal cancer and predicting tumor progression.