White Blood Cell Count and Oral Cancer Prognosis
Author Information
Author(s): Kruse Astrid L, Luebbers Heinz T, Grätz Klaus W
Primary Institution: University Hospital Zurich
Hypothesis
Can white blood cell count be used as a prognostic marker for recurrence or metastases in oral cancer?
Conclusion
Elevated white blood cell count does not seem to be a predictor for recurrence or further metastases in oral cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- 48 out of 278 patients developed recurrence.
- 24 patients developed second tumors.
- 46 patients had cervical metastases.
- 14 patients had distant metastases.
- The mean follow-up time was 35.97 months.
Takeaway
The study looked at whether the number of white blood cells can help predict if oral cancer will come back or spread, and it found that it doesn't.
Methodology
The study compared preoperative white blood cell counts with clinicopathological information in 278 patients with oral cancer.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding factors were not controlled for, which may affect the results.
Limitations
Only a single WBC count measurement was taken, and data on confounding factors like medication use were unavailable.
Participant Demographics
278 patients (119 female, 159 male) with a mean age of 62.89 years.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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