Association of Platelet Count and Platelet Indices with Stages of Women Breast Cancer in Yola, Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objective: Platelets are involved in mechanisms that promote tumor growth. Platelet indices are marker of platelet activities in cancer. Platelet indices includes: mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), Plateletocrit (PCT), Platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR). This study aims to evaluate platelet count and platelet indices at different stages of women breast cancer in Yola. Materials and Methods:143 women participated in this study. Platelet count and platelet indices were determined using Sysmex XP 300 hematology analyzer.Results: Mean platelet count in women with stage 0/1, 2, and 3/4, was 207±23.09 x 109/l, 113± 14.58 x 109/l and 412±12.50 x 109/l respectively. While mean PDW in women with stage 0/1, 2, and 3/4, breast cancer was 11.9 ±0.21fl, 13.1 ±1.1fl and 12.1 ±0.30fl respectively. MPV of women with stage 0/1, 2, and 3/4, breast cancer was 12.0 ± 1.20fl, 13.9 ± 0.26fl and 14.4 ± 0.08fl respectively. The mean P-LCR of women with stage 0/1 breast cancer was 32.4 ± 0.88% while P-LCR of those with stage 2 and 3/4 breast cancers was 21.8 ± 1.64% and 19.3 ± 1.13% respectively. Mean PCT of women on stage 0/1, 2, 3/4 was 0.23 ± 0.13%, 0.12 ± 1.02% and 0.29 ± 0.20% respectively. Conclusion:Platelet counts and platelet indices vary with stages of breast cancer. Pattern of MPV variations indicates that MPV can be used as indices to measure platelet activation, tumor metastasis/invasion and inflammatory processes in women with breast cancer in Yola Nigeria.