Evaluation of Serum Bilirubin Levels in Oral Cancer

Abstract

Background:  Aberrant level of serum bilirubin, marker of hepatobiliary and haematological disorders, was associated with patient prognosis in several human malignancies. In this study, we aim to evaluate the predictive value of serum bilirubin for clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: This study reviewed 50 patients with OSCC and 50 normal controls matched for age and gender. The association between levels of preoperative direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), total bilirubin (TBIL), and clinical variables were analysed.

Results: Lower Total Bilirubin and Indirect bilirubin were found in OSCC patients compared with normal controls. Significantly lower direct bilirubin was found in OSCC patients and it was an independent prognostic factor. Patients with higher DBIL had longer overall survival than those with lower DBIL.

Conclusion: Lower DBIL was associated with a poorer prognosis and may be regarded as an independent prognostic marker for patients with OSCC.