RESUMO
Introduction: Tumor microenvironment is infiltrated by innateand adaptive immune system cells particularly T lymphocytesthat assist tumors to mimic inflammatory conditions seen innormal tissues. Tumor microenvironment plays an importantrole in determining the biological behavior of cancers likeproliferation, invasion, metastasis and therapeutic resistance.Study aimed to estimate and compare the neutrophil tolymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with oral squamous cellcarcinoma (OSCC) and in normal healthy individuals.Material and method: A case control study was conductedon 15 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 15cases of normal healthy individuals. Neutrophil to lymphocyteratio (NLR) was determined by the examination of peripheralblood smear in each case.Results: In the present study, significant increased in theabsolute neutrophil count and decreased in the absolutelymphocyte count were observed along with high neutrophilto lymphocyte ratio in OSCC patients than that of healthycontrols.Conclusion: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio can be used asa feasible, cost‑effective, and potential marker for determingthe aggressive behavior of OSCC and may also benefit inprognostic prediction.