Variations in Complete Blood Counts in Patients With Non-hematological Malignancies: Insights From a Retrospective Hospital-Based Study

TL;DR

This study explores how blood count changes are linked to non-blood cancers, showing that certain blood markers can indicate specific tumor types.

Contribution

The study identifies correlations between specific hematological changes and non-hematological malignancies in a hospital-based cohort.

Findings

Anemia was predominantly observed in female patients with non-hematological malignancies.

Thrombocytosis was associated with breast cancer cases.

Head and neck cancer and female genital tract malignancies showed significant anemia.

Abstract

Introduction: Malignancy ranks among the leading causes of mortality in both developed and developing nations. An abnormal hematological profile may serve as the initial indication of various non-hematological malignancies or solid tumors.

Aims and objectives: This research aims to investigate the spectrum of hematological alterations in individuals diagnosed with non-hematological cancers, evaluate their prevalence, and determine the relationship between complete blood count results and specific types of malignancies at a tertiary care facility in Gujarat.

Materials and methods: We compiled the retrospective data of 135 cases diagnosed with non-hematological malignancies through histopathological examination, all of whom had a CBC report and sought consultation at our hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. The CBC reports for all included cases were thoroughly analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were represented as counts and percentages.

Results: There was a male preponderance amongst cases with head and neck (HN) cancer as the most common non-hematological malignancy. Anemia was observed as an important hematological finding predominantly in female patients. Leucocytosis, neutrophilia, eosinophilia, and thrombocytosis were also identified in some cases, especially in those who were non-anemic. HN cancer and malignancies of the female genital tract demonstrated significant anemia, lung tumors had markedly elevated red blood cell counts, and breast cancer patients were associated with thrombocytosis.

Conclusion: The current research demonstrated a definite correlation between hematological manifestations, such as anemia, leucocytosis, and thrombocytosis, and various non-hematological malignancies. Early detection of these conditions during disease progression can significantly reduce associated morbidity and mortality, ultimately contributing to improved patient care.