RED CELL DISTRIBUTION WIDTH ASSESSMENT AND HEMATOLOGICAL CORRELATION IN OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian cancer, a major concern in India, is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. Early detection is crucial due to frequent late-stage diagnoses. Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), a marker for red blood cell size variability, is promising but lacks extensive study in ovarian cancer. This research aims to correlate RDW with hematological parameters in ovarian cancer patients, potentially improving early detection and prognosis. This study examined data from ovarian cancer patients at Mc Gann’s Teaching District Hospital in Shivamogga. Hematological parameters, RDW, were obtained from records, with imaging and histopathological analysis confirming diagnoses. Inclusion criteria Involved ovarian malignancies or benign tumors, while exclusions involved comorbidities or recent treatments impacting blood parameters. Significant differences were observed in RDW (p = 0.033), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) (p = 0.004), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) (p = 0.001), Lymphocyte count (L) (p = 0.0006), and Neutrophil count (N) (p = 0.003) among the case, control, and normal groups. Post hoc analysis revealed significant disparities between the case and control groups for PLR (p = 0.003), NLR (p = 0.002), L (p = 0.001), and N (p = 0.005) parameters. Notably, RDW showed a significant difference primarily between the groups. The results imply an association between RDW and ovarian cancer, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance and explore RDW’s role in ovarian cancer management. Early detection through RDW assessment may enhance patient outcomes and reduce mortality rates.