Evaluation of hemocytometer parameters as potential biomarkers in benign multinodular goiter and papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Hemocytometer parameters can be important biomarkers for some types of cancers and diseases. There is a need to evaluate their biomarker potential in thyroid diseases. Objectives: The current study aimed at contributing to potential biomarker researches to diagnose papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and benign multinodular goiter (BMG), evaluate the role of these markers to determine the PTC characteristics and contribute to clarification of controversial issues. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective observational study. The study included 389 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at private Sani Konukoglu hospital (Sanko University, School of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey) due to BMG or PTC diagnosis from November 2011 to May 2017. The study subjects were divided into 3 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were subjects with BMG, PTC, and the control, respectively. The comparisons were made among the groups in terms of hemocytometer parameters. In the group with the thyroid papillary carcinoma diagnosis, the relationship between the hemocytometer parameters and the bilateral tumor presence, single-sided multicentrite, and tumor diameter (size) were investigated. Results: Red cell distribution width (RDW) levels were 15.50 +/- 2.39, 15.68 +/- 2.16, and 12.5 +/- 1.51 in the BMG, PTC, and control groups, respectively. Mean platelet volumes (MPV) were 7.97 +/- 1.19, 8.05 +/- 1.20, and 7.23 +/- 1.39 in the BMG, PTC, and control groups, respectively. MPV and RDW values were significantly lower in group 3 compared with the groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.0001). Plateletcrit (PCT) values were 0.22 +/- 0.05, 0.23 +/- 0.06, and 0.19 +/- 0.05 in the BMG, PTC, and control groups, respectively. PCT was significantly lower in the group 3 compared with the groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.0001). In PTC group, no significant relationship was observed between any of the examined hematological parameters in terms of multicentric and bilateral tumor presence. Conclusions: RDW, MPV, haemoglobin content, and PCT were significantly higher in the BMG and PTC groups. This increase was not specific for either of the 2 groups. No significant difference was found between any of the hemocytometer parameters and the multicentricity and bilaterality of PTC. But, a possible correlation was observed between activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), hemoglobin content, and tumor size.