Squamous cell carcinoma antigen, platelet distribution width, and prealbumin collectively as a marker of squamous cell cervical carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell cervical carcinoma is the most common gynecological malignant disorder worldwide. Early detection of squamous cell cervical carcinoma is needed for proper clinical management. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is commonly used as a tumor marker for squamous cell cervical carcinoma. Platelet distribution width (PDW) is an indicator of platelet activation. Prealbumin is a negative acute-phase protein. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of SCCA, PDW, and prealbumin individually or in combination, to distinguish between cervical carcinoma and control subjects. MEHTODS: Two hundred and twenty patients with squamous cell cervical carcinoma and 211 control subjects were included in the study. Patients' characteristics and hematologic tests data at initial diagnosis were collected. RESULTS: Our results showed that SCCA and PDW were higher, and prealbumin was lower in cervical carcinoma patients than in control subjects. Single biomarker had AUC value ranging from 0.753 for SCCA to 0.845 for PDW. The combination of SCCA and PDW increased the AUC to 0.900 (p< 0.0001). In addition, the combination of SCCA, PDW and prealbumin exhibited a significantly larger AUC of 0.917 (0.887-0.942), significantly higher than those of any single marker. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of SCCA, PDW and prealbumin can accurately distinguish squamous cell cervical carcinoma from control subjects. This promising approach could be helpful in early detection of squamous cell cervical carcinoma.