Analysis of Hematological and Histological Parameters Among Individuals with Pre-Cancerous and Cancerous Lesions

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the hematological and histological parameters among individuals with pre-cancerous and cancerous oral lesions by comparing them with healthy controls

Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), from Mar 2024 to Sept 2024 in collaboration with the Clinical Oncology Ward of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. Individuals aged 14 years and above, with confirmed diagnoses, were enrolled and divided into three groups: Group A (34 oral cancer patients), Group B (34 oral precancerous cases), and Group C (34 healthy controls). Blood sample of 5 ml was collected, processed, and stored under aseptic conditions for CBC. Initial biopsy was done under local anesthesia targeting the areas of lesions. Sections were then stained utilizing the Hematoxylin and Eosin “H&E” for routine histological evaluations. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.

Results: Overall mean age of the cases was 42.79 ± 4.12 years. Out of 102 subjects, 55 (53.9%) males and 47 (46.0%) were female. In cancer cases, the buccal mucosa and tongue were the most commonly affected sites (23.5% each), with other regions also involved. In the pre-cancer group, leukoplakia was the most frequent lesion (58.8%), followed by erythroplakia and submucous fibrosis. Most cancer patients had well-differentiated SCC (67.6%), while 32.4% had moderately differentiated SCC, with males being more commonly affected in both types. Hematological markers (Hb, hematocrit, RBC, TLC, neutrophils, lymphocytes) were significantly elevated (p < 0.01) in both oral precancer and cancer groups compared to controls. Monocyte and platelet counts showed no significant differences.

Conclusion: Distinct alterations o hematological parameters observed among individuals with oral precancerous and cancerous lesions compared to healthy individuals. Histologically, leukoplakia emerged as the most frequent pre-cancerous lesion, while well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) predominated among cancer cases, especially among males.