• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1689-1692
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• 2014

Background: An easy, reproducible and simple marker is needed to estimate phase of endometrial pathologic lesions such as hyperplasia and endometrial cancer and distinguish from pathologically normal results. We here aimed to clarify associations among neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), endometrial hyperplasia and cancer in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Materials and Methods: Patients (n=161) who were admitted with abnormal uterine bleeding and the presence of endometrial cells on cervical cytology or thick endometrium were investigated. The study constituted of three groups according to pathologic diagnosis. Group 1 included endometrial precancerous lesions like hyperplasia (n=63), group 2 included endometrial cancerous lesions (n=38) and group 3 was a pathologically normal group (n=60). Blood samples were obtained just before the curettage procedure and the NLR was defined as the absolute neutrophil count divided by the absolute lymphocyte count; similarly, PLR was defined as the absolute platelet count divided by the absolute lymphocyte count. Results: The white blood cell count was significantly higher in patients with cancer than in those with hyperplasia (p=0.005). The platelet count and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher in patients with cancer than in control patients, but there was significantly no difference between patients with hyperplasia and other groups (p=0.001 and p=0.025 respectively). PLR was significantly lower in control subjects than in other groups (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference between patients with hyperplasia and those with cancer. Conclusions: PLR was significantly lower in control subjects than in other groups. Thus both hyperplasia and cancer may be differentiated from pathologically normal patients by using PLR. White blood cell count was significantly higher in patients with cancer than in those with hyperplasia and pathologically normal patients. Therefore white blood cell count may be used for discriminate hyperplasia to cancer. By using multiple inflammation parameters, discrimination may be possible among endometrial cancer, endometrial precancerous lesions and pathologically normal patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2409-2412
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• 2015

Purpose: We aimed to study the inflammatory parameters of complete blood count in breast cancer cases. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study covered 178 breast cancer patients and 107 age and body mass index matched healthy women. Complete blood count parameters, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and MPV/platelet were analyzed. Results: The leukocyte, neutrophil and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were higher in the patient group (p values 0.001, 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively) while haemoglobin and hematocrit were higher in the control group (p=0.0001 for both). Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated neutrophils and platelet distribution width (PDW) (OR: 0.627, 95%CI: 0.508-0.774, p=0.001 and OR: 1.191 95%CI: 1.057-1.342 p=0.003) were independent variables for predicting breast cancer. The cut-off value for the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was 2.56. Conclusions: According to our study results, neutrophil levels as part of complete blood count may be used as an independent predictor of breast cancer risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.351-354
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• 2015

Background: To identify the potential prognostic role of the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio in larynx carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Oncologic archive charts of patients with a larynx carcinoma diagnosis between the years 2010 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criterion was to be available with hemogram test prior to diagnostic procedure. Patients undergoing septorinoplasty comprised the control group. Results: There were 65 cases in the study and 42 cases in control group meeting inclusion criteria. In general a non-significant increase in N/L ratio was observed with increasing tumor size and stage (p>0.05) in larynx carcinoma. The N/L ratio was found to be significantly higher in larynx carcinoma compared to control group (p=0.004). Conclusions: In conclusion, the N/L ratio was shown to be significantly increased in larynx carcinomas compared to control group. Further studies are needed to assess any prognostic role.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6881-6885
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• 2014

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the utility and importance of the various parameters of complete blood count panel for benign-malignant differentiation of adnexal masses. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved 316 patients with documented benign and 253 patients with malignant adnexal masses who underwent primary surgical treatment at a tertiary referral center. Prior to the study, all benign and malignant cases were compared within their own groups and then the benign and malignant cases were compared to each other. For all cases, cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet and CA-125 parameters, and the results were compared in regards to the groups. Results: NLR, PLR, neutrophil, CA-125, and platelet values were higher in the malignant compared to the benign cases (p<0.01). The lymphocyte value was lower in the malignant cases (p<0.01). No significant differences were found for basophils and eosinophils (p > 0.05). For CA-125, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for all cases were 78%, 62%, 62% and 78%, respectively. For NLR, they were 65.6%, 72.1%, 65.3%, and 72.3%, and for PLR, 48%, 81%, 67%, and 66%. Additionally, the sensitivity and specificity were 55% and 77% for CA-125, 66% and 58% for NLR, and 61% and 58% for PLR in early malignant cases. Conclusions: NLR and PLR appear to be useful methods that can be applied together with CA-125 due to the relatively high sensitivity values for the malign-benign differentiation of ovarian masses. Although the specificity of these parameters is lower than CA-125, especially in cases with early malignant ovarian pathology, their sensitivity being higher is promising for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. It can be used to detect ovarian malignancies in the early stages, and it will increase the treatment options and improve survival rates.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1309-1312
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• 2016

Inflammation can play an important role in cancer progression and the prognostic importance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of inflammation, in cancer is a current investigation topic. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether there is a prognostic link between NLR and metastatic gastric cancer (mGC). A total of 143 patients from the Akdeniz University and Antalya Training and Research Hospital database were retrospectively analyzed. The median NLR value was 3.34. The median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 11.6 and 7.9 months, respectively, in patients with NLR<3.34 while these values were 8.3 and 6.2 months respectively in patients with NLR>3.34 (p<0.001 and p=0.011, respectively). Our study showed that increased NLR is an independent prognostic factor associated with short survival in patients with mGC.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.217-223
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• 2019

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic value of eosinopenia and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Neonatology Ward of R.D. Kandou General Hospital Manado between July and October 2017. Samples were obtained from all neonates meeting the inclusion criteria for EONS. Data were encoded using logistic regression analysis, the point-biserial correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, with a P value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Of 120 neonates who met the inclusion criteria, 73 (60.8%) were males and 47 (39.2%) were females. Ninety (75%) were included in the sepsis group and 30 (25%) in the nonsepsis group. The mean eosinophil count in EONS and non-EONS groups was $169.8{\pm}197.1cells/mm^3$ and $405.7{\pm}288.9cells/mm^3$, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The diagnostic value of eosinopenia in the EONS group (cutoff point: $140cells/mm^3$) showed 60.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. The mean NLR in EONS and non-EONS groups was $2.82{\pm}2.29$ and $0.82{\pm}0.32$, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The diagnostic value of NLR in the EONS group (cutoff point, 1.24) showed 83.3% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. Conclusion: Eosinopenia has high specificity as a diagnostic marker for EONS and an increased NLR has high sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic marker for EONS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3875-3879
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• 2015

Background: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple index of systemic inflammatory response, and has been shown to be a prognostic indicator in some types of cancer. Inflammation has been implicated in the initiation and progression of thyroid cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of NLR with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and different benign thyroid pathologies like multinodular goiter (MNG) and lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the neutrophil, lymphocyte counts and NLR calculated from these parameters of 232 patients with histologically confirmed as multinodular goiter (group MNG) (n=70), lymphocytic thyroiditis (group LT) (n=97), LT with PTC (group LT-PTC) (n=25) and PTC (group PTC) (n=40). The optimal cut-off value for NLR was determined. Results: NLR level was significantly higher in groups LT-PTC and PTC as compared to groups MNG and LT (p<0.05). NLR of LT subgroups according to TSH levels were not different (p>0.05). When we grouped the patients as benign and malignant according to PTC presence, the optimum NLR cut-off point obtained from ROC analysis was 1.91 (sensitivity 89.0% and specificity 54.5%). Conclusions: Since NLR was significantly elevated in group LT-PTC and group PTC, NLR value may give an opinion as a potential marker in differentiation of benign and malign thyroid disorders. For this purpose a cut-off value of 1.91 for NLR may be accepted.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2020

Purpose: To investigate the association between urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and leukocyte differential count in children with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in children undergoing uNGAL measurements between June 2018 and September 2019. Patients with suspected or diagnosed UTIs were included. The relationship between uNGAL and blood leukocyte differential count was investigated in children. Results: A total of 197 children were included in this study, 119 of whom (60%) had UTIs. The non-UTI patients (n=78) were diagnosed with pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, viral upper respiratory infection, and others. After adjusting for age, gender, and fever duration, the leukocyte count, monocyte count, and uNGAL levels were higher in the UTI group than in the non-UTI group (P<0.05). uNGAL showed positive correlations with neutrophil counts, monocyte counts, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in the UTI group (P<0.05). uNGAL levels were only associated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the non-UTI group (P<0.05). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, only uNGAL was associated with the presence of UTI (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for uNGAL and monocyte counts to identify UTI were 0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.824-0.939; P=0.025) and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.627-0.774; P=0.038), respectively. Conclusions: In children with UTIs, uNGAL levels may be associated with blood leukocyte differential counts. uNGAL measurements and monocyte counts can be helpful in children with suspected UTIs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in drug intoxication (DI) patients in the emergency department (ED) and to evaluate the relationship between NLR and length of hospital admission/intensive care unit (ICU) admission Methods: A total of 466 patients diagnosed with DI in the ED from January 2016 to December 2017 were included in the analysis. The clinical and laboratory results, including NLR, were evaluated as variables. NLR was calculated as the absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count. To evaluate the prognosis of DI, data on the development of aspiration pneumonia were obtained. Also, we evaluated the relationship between NLR and length of hospital admission and between NLR and length of ICU admission. Statistically, multivariate logistic regression analyses, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and Pearson's correlation (${\rho}$) were performed. Results: Among the 466 DI patients, 86 (18.5%) developed aspiration pneumonia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed NLR as an independent factor in predicting aspiration pneumonia (odds ratio, 1.7; p=0.001). NLR showed excellent predictive performance for aspiration pneumonia (areas under the ROC curves, 0.815; cut-off value, 3.47; p<0.001) with a sensitivity of 86.0% and a specificity of 72.6%. No correlations between NLR and length of hospital admission (${\rho}=0.195$) and between NLR and length of ICU admission (${\rho}=0.092$) were observed. Conclusion: The NLR is a simple and effective marker for predicting the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in DI patients. Emergency physicians should be alert for aspiration pneumonia in DI patients with high NLR value (>3.47).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10363-10366
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic and prognostic roles of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in breast cancer patients. To date, data are limited on associations of primary breast carcinoma (PBC) and benign proliferative breast disease (BPBD) with preoperative NLR values. Materials and Methods: Our study covered of 120 female patients with PBC and 50 with BPBD. Diagnostic values of NLR were estimated using sensitivity, specificity and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). Results: NLR values were significantly higher in the PBC patients than in those with BPBD, with an AUC of 0.668 in the PBC case. The optimal cut-off for NLR was 2.96 and this was validated in the testing set, giving a sensitivity and a specificity of 79.7% and 76.2%, respectively, in PBC patients. Conclusions: Preoperative high NLR is a significant diagnostic predictor of distinction of breast cancer from BPBD and elevated NLR is also an important prognostic marker for primary invasive breast cancer.