Correlation of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and risk scores in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Abstract

ObjectivesAim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk score and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and the relationship between NLR and risk groups. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data of 212 patients with NMIBC were included in the study. The tumors were graded according to the 1973 World Health Organization grading system and the tumor node metastasis (TNM) 2012 staging system. Patients were categorized low, intermediate and high risk for recurrence and progression, according to European Association of Urology guidelines. Serum values for the NLR were measured on the day before the operation to ascertain the baseline value for neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and statistically analyzed. ResultsOf the 212 patients, 193 were male and 19 were female. Mean age was 66.7. Mean NLR score was 3.04 ± 2.11. T1 tumors, G3 tumors, multiple tumors and >3 cm tumors seen mostly in patients with NLR > 2.41. Low, intermediate and high risk groups compared and NLR rates were significantly higher in high risk group patients (p < 0.001). When the correlation between NLR and EORTC recurrence and progression scores was evaluated, it was observed that as NLR value increased, recurrence (r = 0.252 p < 0.001) and progression (r = 0.145 p = 0.034) scores increased significantly. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the association of high NLR value with T1 tumor, high grade, multiple tumor, >3 cm tumor and EORTC high risk group in NMIBC patients. There was also a positive correlation between NLR and EORTC recurrence and progression scores.