Abstract:
Background: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the breast, most commonly the ducts and lobules. It is the most common female malignancy, the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide for women, and its incidence is on the rise in Libya. In patients with breast cancer, hematological indicators can forecast follow-up care, mortality, and severity. Objectives: The current study aims to assess the alterations in hematological parameters among patients with breast cancer at the Sabratha National Cancer Institute. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 100 breast cancer patients, attending the National Cancer Institute of Sabratha for breast examination to detect cancerous or pre-cancerous conditions of the breast or other medical conditions from the 1st August 2018 to the 31st January 2021, were enrolled in this prospective study. Also, 100 healthy individuals without any chronic disease were recruited for the control group. Their ages ranged from 19 to 80 years old. Blood samples were collected by vein puncture, 3 ml of venous blood withdrawn from each participant in the study by using disposable syringes under an aseptic technique; they were then transferred to a sterile EDTA tube, for complete blood count. Complete blood count was determined using an automated hematology analyzer Sysmex (KX 21) machine in the Centre laboratory of the National Cancer Institute of Sabratha. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 26) software. Results: The results showed a significant (P<0.01) decrease in RBCs counts, hemoglobin concentrations, hematocrit values, MCV, MCH, MCHC, lymphocytes %, and blood platelets count in breast cancer patients when compared with healthy women. On the other hand, WBCs count and neutrophils % were significantly (P<0.01) increased in breast cancer patients compared with the healthy women. Conclusion: It can be concluded that hematological parameters among patients with breast cancer showed a significant change compared with healthy women. The easiest and most important examination tool for diagnosing disease is a complete blood count. Additional hematological research is required to validate these findings. Additionally, patients with breast cancer should have their hematological markers regularly monitored.
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