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Table 4 Post-test probability of cancer for combinations of two abnormal blood tests

From: Routine blood tests and probability of cancer in patients referred with non-specific serious symptoms: a cohort study

 

High LDH

High alkaline phosphatase

Thrombocytosis

High WBC count

High CRP

Anaemia

Hypercalcaemia

62.8 (38.3; 82.1)

(n = 16)

46.6 (32.2; 61.7)

(n = 39)

46.8 (30.4; 63.9)

(n = 30)

47.1 (31.7; 63.2)

(n = 34)

42.6 (31.5; 54.5)

(n = 62)

34.1 (22.0; 48.6)

(n = 44)

Anaemia

26.2 (17.5; 37.2)

(n = 69)

29.9 (22.6; 38.3)

(n = 111)

23.9 (17.7; 31.4)

(n = 126)

28.5 (20.0; 39.0)

(n = 77)

28.9 (23.8; 34.6)

(n = 200)

 

High CRP

36.6 (26.4; 48.1)

(n = 67)

34.5 (28.0; 41.7)

(n = 145)

30.3 (23.8; 37.6)

(n = 138)

26.6 (20.7; 33.5)

(n = 149)

  

High WBC count

34.6 (20.6; 52.8)

(n = 29)

27.8 (19.3; 38.3)

(n = 76)

28.7 (20.4; 38.6)

(n = 84)

   

Thrombocytosis

37.8 (21.2; 57.7)

(n = 24)

26.4 (17.4; 37.9)

(n = 65)

    

High alkaline phosphatase

30.9 (21.3; 42.4)

(n = 66)

     
  1. The post-test probability of cancer is shown in each cell with the 95% CI shown in parenthesis. The number of patients with each combination is shown at the bottom of each cell. Pre-test probability of cancer: 12.2%
  2. Abbreviations: LDH lactate dehydrogenase, CRP: C-reactive protein, WBC count white blood cell count