The impact of anaemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis on survival in patients with lung cancer resection

SUMMARY.Intro duction: Previous studies have reported that preoperativeleukocytosis, anaemia and thrombocytosis are related to the prognosisof non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was todetermine impact of these haematological parameters in patients ofdifferent ages with NSCLC. Materia l and methods: Among 2,050patients who underwent lung resection for NSCLC in the 5-year period2002-2007, 200 were reviewed, of whom 93 were aged above 70 years.Results: The frequency of preoperative leukocytosis, anaemia andthrombocytosis was 21% (42/200), 32.5% (65/200), 16.5% (33/200),respectively. The 5-year survival of the patients with and withoutleukocytosis, anaemia and thrombocytosis was 26.5% vs 27.4%, 28.9%vs 27.2% and 31.7% vs 26.6%, respectively. No significant differencewas observed in the 5-year survival according to either the presenceor absence of preoperative leukocytosis, anaemia and thrombocytosis,or the age group, <70 years and ≥70 years. Significant differencewas found in the haemoglobin (Hb) level between the differentage groups, 3 (p=0.0025), 6 (p<0.001) and 12 (p=0.033) monthspostoperatively. Leukocytosis, anaemia and thrombocytosis werefrequently found in earlier stages of NSCLC and in connection withextended types of surgical resection. Co nclusions: Preoperativeanaemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis are not related with patientsurvival after lung resection for NSCLC, although the measurementis inexpensive and routinely used. An abnormal blood cell count inpatients with cancer is not always a tumour-related phenomenon.Pneumon 2011, 24(1):354-358.