title: Red cell distribution width as a predictor of prostate cancer progression.
abstract: 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 predictor of progression in prostate cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 62 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy and 62 healthy controls of mean age 64 (range, 45-75) years at the Urology Clinic of Bozok University Hospital. Data collection was performed using our laboratory information system database to retrieve findings regarding RDW, hemoglobin, prostate- specific antigen (PSA), and age. The RDW values were compared between the healthy control group and prostate cancer patients. A high risk of progression as defined as a Gleason score (GS) >6, total number of cores positive for 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 the RDW quartile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean RDW value of prostate cancer patients was 14.6, compared with 13.7 in the healthy control group (p=0.001). A higher RDW was associated with an increased risk of progression, whereas a lower RDW value was correlated with a low risk of progression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RDW is an easily derived measure that might, in combination with other markers, help predict prostate cancer risk and progression. We suggest that RDW may be used in combination with other parameters in the assessment of prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey E-mail : salbayrak77@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sebahattin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albayrak
authors.forename: Kursad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zengin
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanik
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bakirtas
authors.forename: Abdurrahim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Imamoglu
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gurdal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D036761:Ultrasound, High-Intensity Focused, Transrectal
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor