Red Cell Distribution Width as a Predictor of Prostate Cancer Progression

Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the utility of red blood cell distribution width(RDW) as a simple and readily available marker in prostate cancer, as well as to evaluate RDW as a predictorof progression in prostate cancer patients. Materials and
Methods: We evaluated 62 newly diagnosed prostatecancer patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy and 62 healthy controls of meanage 64 (range, 45–75) years at the Urology Clinic of Bozok University Hospital. Data collection was performedusing our laboratory information system database to retrieve findings regarding RDW, hemoglobin, prostatespecificantigen (PSA), and age. The RDW values were compared between the healthy control group and prostatecancer patients. A high risk of progression as defined as a Gleason score (GS) >6, total number of cores positivefor cancer >33%, each core containing >50% cancer cells, and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/mL. Patients were classified according to risk of progression, as well as divided into subgroups according to theRDW quartile.
Results: The mean RDW value of prostate cancer patients was 14.6, compared with 13.7 in thehealthy control group (p=0.001). A higher RDW was associated with an increased risk of progression, whereas alower RDW value was correlated with a low risk of progression.
Conclusions: RDW is an easily derived measurethat might, in combination with other markers, help predict prostate cancer risk and progression. We suggestthat RDW may be used in combination with other parameters in the assessment of prostate cancer.