To investigate the correlation between preoperative platelet parameters and clinicopathological features of renal cell carcinoma.

The data of 452 patients with renal cell carcinoma treated in the Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, including 308 males and 144 females, and the mean age was 56.5(15-86) years. There were 178 cases, 72 cases, and 42 cases combined with hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, respectively. Preoperative platelet parameters were the mean PLT of 218.56(72-568)×10⁹/L, MPV of 9.65(6.2-20.5)fl, PDW of 14.44(7.9-23.1) fl, and PCT of 20.72%(8%-49%). The data of 253 patients with simple renal cysts were selected as the controls, including 140 males and 113 females, and the mean age was 58(9-84) years. There were 178 cases, 72 cases, and 42 cases combined with hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, respectively. Preoperative platelet parameters were the mean PLT of 207.08(84-362)×10⁹/L, MPV of 9.50(6.9-13.9)fl, PDW of 14.59(8.9-21.6)fl, and PCT of 19.49%(9%-36%). Propensity score matching method was used to balance the baseline differences between the two groups, and the differences of platelet parameters between the two groups were compared. The correlation between different clinicopathological characteristics of renal cell carcinoma and platelet parameters was analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to explore the risk factors of renal cell carcinoma with lymph node or distant metastasis.

After matching the baseline data, PLT(t=1.993, P=0.047) and PCT(t=2.396, P= 0.017) in renal cell carcinoma group were significantly higher than those in controls. Among 452 cases in renal cell carcinoma, there were 395 cases (87.4%) with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and 57 cases (12.6%) with non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma. For pathological stage, there were 325 cases (71.9%) of T₁-T₂ stage and 127 cases (28.1%) of T₃-T₄ stage. In addition, there were 444 cases (98.2%) of N₀ stage, 8 cases (1.8%) of N₁ stage, 428 cases (93.6%) of M₀ stage, and 24 cases (6.4%) of M₁ stage. There were 320 cases of nuclear grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ, 99 cases of nuclear grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ, and 33 cases without nuclear grade. Preoperative high PLT was significantly correlated with T₃-T₄(t=3.409, P=0.001), M₁(t=2.772, P=0.011) and nuclear grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ(t=2.859, P=0.005). Low MPV was significantly correlated with M₁(t=2.981, P=0.003). Low PDW was correlated with T₃-T₄(t=2.567, P=0.011). High PCT was significantly correlated with T₃-T₄(t=2.722, P=0.007) and nuclear grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ(t=3.011, P=0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PLT(OR=1.007, 95%CI 1.002-1.012, P=0.009), clear cell renal cell carcinoma(OR=4.467, 95%CI 1.574-12.679, P=0.005)and nuclear grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ(OR= 5.554, 95%CI 2.399-12.856, P<0.001)were independent risk factors for lymph node or distant metastasis of RCC.

PLT and PCT are higher in patients with renal cell carcinoma compared to simple renal cysts. High PLT, PCT, and low MPV, PDW are correlated with the poor clinicopathological characteristics of renal cell carcinoma. Preoperative PLT can be used as an independent risk factor for lymph node or distant metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.

Carcinoma, renal cell; Platelets; Clinical features; Pathologic features