Prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width in tumors

Abstract

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a conventional digital index for diagnosis of anemia, and recent studies have found its new clinical significance: high RDW is closely related to prognosis and diagnosis of both solid tumors and hematological tumors in addition to acute and chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease. RDW, which is cheap and easily acquired, may offer a new direction for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of tumor though the relevant mechanism is unclear. Key words: Neoplasms; Prognosis; Red blood cell distribution width