Comparison of haematological and serum lipid profile parameters in oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is sixth most common cancer in Indian subcontinent with a high morbidity and mortality rate. It is frequently preceded by oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). Early diagnosis of OSCC might halt the poor prognosis. Therefore, present study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic significance of preoperative hematological parameters and serum lipid indices in OSCCs and OPMDs.

Material and methods: Study included 75 cases each of OSCC, OPMD, and controls. Mean and standard deviation of various hematological and lipid parameters were evaluated, including: a) RBC metrics: RBC count, hemoglobin (Hb%), hematocrit, MCV, MCH, RDW. b) WBC metrics: WBC count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, atypical lymphocytes, immature leukocytes count, NLR. c) Platelet metrics: Platelet count, MPV, PDWSD, PCT, PLCR. d) Lipid metrics: Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, Non-HDL. The parameters were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA.

Result: Mean values of neutrophil count, immature leucocytic cells, NLR, MPV, PDWSD, PLCR, and VLDL were found to be significantly increased (P < 0.00), while, mean values of RBC count, Hb%, atypical lymphocytes, platelet count and HDL were observed to be significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in OPMD and OSCC groups as compared to control. However, the remaining indices were found to be non-significant.

Conclusion: Present study findings corroborate the role of hematological and serum lipid profile parameters in the etiology and progression of OPMDs and OSCCs. This highlights their potential as early diagnostic predictive markers to forecast the occurrence of high-risk OPMD and OSCC cases and also guiding personalized treatment strategies.