neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio in early stage breast cancer as predictor of disease free survival

The relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and outcome probably a complex and multifactorial issues. High neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is reflect the role of systemic inflammation in accelerate angiogenesis, tumor grow-up, and metastasis development.

Objective: The study aimed to estimate the relation between NLR, and PLR with disease free survival (DFS), and assess the values of clinico-pathologic factors on the prognosis.

Methods: Retrospectively we reviewed 1167 files and 102 patients with breast cancer included in Babylon Oncology Center from January 2009 to September 2014, and follow up for at least 36 months.

Results: 102 patients, with mean age of 50.4 ± 11.7 years and minimum follow up 40 months, the overall median DFS was 62 months with 5 – years DFS of 52.5%, stage N0 show significant better DFS compared to stage N1 (P value 0.004), also patients with positive hormonal status show significant better DFS compared to negative hormonal status. The isolated local recurrence is 15% while combined local recurrences and distant metastasis is 37%.

Conclusion: NLR is a prognostic marker, and its establish the prediction models warrants further investigation. Increase NLR is strongly associated with poor DFS, and it can be as a predictive and prognostic factor.