Prognostic value of selected platelet parameters of patients operated for non-small cell lung cancer

Platelets play a vital role in the neoplastic process. Platelet parameters are hence an important source of information concerning ongoing neoplastic disease. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of selected platelet parameters on the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The study included 532 (174 female and 358 male) patients aged 36-84 years (mean age 63.6 years) operated on due to NSCLC, staged IA-IIIA. Before the operation, all patients received a blood morphology test. The following parameters were subjected to statistical analysis: platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) parameter, platelet distribution width (PDW) parameter, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation (SII) index. These findings were compared with the clinical data of the patients, and the probability of overall survival was analyzed.

The univariate analysis revealed a correspondence between PDW, MPV, PLR and SII index and patient survival. The multivariate analysis including patient clinical data found the following factors to have negative prognostic value for patients operated on due to NSCLC: male sex, advancement stage of neoplastic disease and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) above 4, and PLR >144.

PDW value, PLR and SII index are independent prognostic factors. In the multi-factor model, male sex, the advancement stage of the neoplastic disease, CCI above 4 and PLR lower than 144 had the greatest prognostic value.