Predictive value of inflammatory cell ratios in incidental thyroid papillary carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the well-known relationship between inflammatory processes and carcinogenesis, the diagnostic and prognostic value of systemic inflammatory markers are at the focus of research. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of inflammatory cell data obtained from complete blood count in incidentally detected thyroid papillary carcinoma. Methods: A total of 100 cases were included in the study, consisting of histopathologically diagnosed multinodular hyperplasia (MNH) (N = 20), lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT) (n = 20), incidental thyroid papillary carcinoma (ITPC) (n = 20), incidental papillary carcinoma and lymphocytic thyroiditis (ITPCLT) (n = 20), and thyroid papillary carcinoma (TPC) (n = 20). Neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/ lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet/neutrophil ratio (PNR), lymphocyte/ monocyte ratio (LMR) and lymphocyte/ eosinophil ratio (LER) values were compared between the groups. Results: No significant difference was detected between the groups concerning the mean inflammatory cell and platelet values. However, statistical significance was observed between the ITPC and ITPCLT groups regarding the mean LMR and LER values (p=0.009 and p=0.037, respectively). Higher LMR was found in the ITPC group, while higher LER was seen in the ITPCLT group. Conclusions: We suggest that besides ratios such as NLR and PLR used as systemic inflammatory markers in carcinogenetic processes, the evaluation of LER and LMR might be imperative as well. Therefore, these potential markers should be studied in bigger series of tumors, especially where inflammatory processes are involved in the etiology.

Keywords

• thyroid cancer
• papillary carcinoma
• lymphocytes
• eosinophils
• monocytes
• neutrophils
• tiroid kanseri
• papiler karsinom
• lenfosit
• eozinofil
• monosit
• nötrofil