Red cell distribution width

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mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

Red cell distribution width

Postby mpbser » Thu Jul 11, 2019 10:47 am

I recently noticed that my husband's red cell distribution width (RDW) has been elevated since May 15th (HAI pump crisis time). Curious as to what that might mean, I found very scary data about it. This factoid stands out in particular: "RDW was strongly associated with deaths from cancer." http://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/12159/html

A better article on the subject: http://www.jcancer.org/v10p1162.htm

High RDW is associated with anemia, which he had in May, but not if all the other values are normal, such as MCV, etc. I doubt that it's an iron, B12, or folate deficiency either. So, that leaves an underlying inflammatory state and/or metabolic syndrome.

Does anyone know about red cell distribution width and its prognostic value in mCRC? Thoughts?
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED

mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

Re: Red cell distribution width

Postby mpbser » Thu Jul 11, 2019 10:53 am

I just read this, which makes me think that the residual scrotal hematoma (STILL hasn't completely resolved!) is causing the RDW to be slightly elevated: hemolysis or blood transfusion can also cause an elevated RDW.

But I like to double-check everything -- as stated on another thread, better to be safe than sorry.
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED


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