Clinical Value of Platelet Count and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) in Patients with Thyroid Malignancy

Abstract: Platelet count index may be used as useful clinical markers in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid disorders. Platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has recently been introduced as prognostic markers of thyroid cancer and strong inflammatory markers. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of the platelet count and PLR in thyroid malignancy. Subjects were 61 patients with thyroid nodule who were followed up at the General Surgery Clinic of Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital, and underwent ultrasound examination, FNAB, thyroidectomy, and histopathological examination. Categorical scale data were described through frequencies and percentages, while numerical scale data were presented in the form of min, max, mean and standard deviation. The results showed that thyroid nodules predominantly occurred in females (60.65%); 25 of 37 patients (67.57%) of whom had malignancy. Meanwhile, of 24 male patients (39.3%), there were 17 patients (38.64%) who had thyroid malignancy. In this study, the platelet count and PLR were no significantly higher in patients with papillary thyroid malignancy than in those with non-malignancy. As many as 42 patients (68.85%) with thyroid malignancy had normal platelet count and as many as 44 patients (72.13%) had low PLR; these results were the same with non-malignancy thyroid. In conclusion, thyroid malignancy is predominantly comprising between age 40-59 years old, dominated by females. Laboratory results shows that the majority have normal platelet count and low platelet–lymphocyte ratio. Further research and patient follow-up are needed to evaluate the platelets and platelet–lymphocyte ratio in patients with thyroid malignancy. Keywords: platelet count, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, thyroid malignancy