A Retrospective Study from a Single Center to Identify Hematological Factors that Distinguish Between Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma and Colorectal Adenoma

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study from a single center in China was conducted using data from medical records between 2012 and 2020, to identify hematological factors that distinguish between patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and colorectal adenoma. MATERIAL/METHODS: In this case-control study, 856 eligible patients were randomly divided into a training set (n=600) and a testing set (n=256). Routine blood parameters, blood coagulation, and liver and kidney function parameters were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to explore diagnostic indicators. The values of the area under the curve and calibration curves were used to evaluate the model. RESULTS: The study included 325 colorectal adenoma and 531 CRC patients. The prediction model for diagnosing CRC using hemoglobin-to-platelet ratio, fibrinogen-albumin ratio (FAR), albumin-globulin ratio (A/G), platelet-lymphocyte ratio, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and thrombin time (TT) was developed on the basis of the patients grouped into the CRC and colorectal adenoma groups. The prediction model for diagnosing CRC stage was developed using prothrombin time (PT), TT, CEA, A/G, FAR, and HPR. The prediction model for diagnosing CRC grade was developed using PT, TT, A/G, plateletcrit, FAR, and HPR. The AUCs of the 3 prediction models were [0.848, 95% CI: (0.800–0.896)], [0.806, 95% CI: (0.775–0.836)], and [0.829, 95% CI: (0.797–0.860)] in the testing set. CONCLUSIONS: Three diagnostic prediction models for early screening of CRC, stage of CRC, and grade of CRC were established through a panel of readily available hematological parameters, which could provide auxiliary tools for early screening of CRC.