Differentiating malignant effusions from other exudative effusions by cancer ratio and cancer ratio plus

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis, cancer, and parapneumonic effusion are the most typical causes of exudative effusions. A biochemical marker for tuberculosis is the presence of ADA in pleural fluid. Unfortunately, no good biomarker exists to help in the identification of malignant effusion. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of using the Cancer ratio and the Cancer ratio plus for diagnosing malignant effusion. Material and Methods: Observational study of 100 people diagnosed with pleural effusion. Between January 2021 and October 2021, researchers gathered data from Dhanalakshmi Srinivasaan Medical College and Hospital in Siruvachur, Perambalur, and Tamil Nadu. On admission, clinical, radiological, and biochemical tests are performed. LDH, ADA, and lymphocyte count are recorded. Cancer ratio, cancer ratio plus, and future follow-up. Statistically linked with the ultimate diagnosis. Results: Malignant effusion has a much higher cancer incidence rate and cancer incidence rate plus. Malignant pleural effusion is favourable linked with cancer ratio and cancer ratio plus in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The cancer ratio exhibited a sensitivity of 94.1% and a specificity of 98.3% at a cutoff level of 20, whereas at a cutoff level of 30 the cancer ratio showed a sensitivity of 94.1% and a specificity of 95.6%. Conclusion: Both the cancer ratio and the cancer ratio plus may be computed from common biochemical tests; they are inexpensive, highly accurate, and easy to use as early warning indicators of malignancy. It can help doctors actively hunt for cancer, rather than just waiting it out or treating TB on a hunch.