Correlation of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and risk scores in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. / Correlación entre el índice neutrófilo/linfocito y las puntuaciones de riesgo en el cáncer de vejiga no músculo-invasivo.

OBJECTIVES: Aim 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 and the relationship between NLR and risk groups. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 212 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer 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. RESULTS: Of 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>3cm 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<.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<.001) and progression (r=0.145, P=.034) scores increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the association of high NLR value with T1 tumor, high grade, multiple tumor,>3cm tumor and EORTC high risk group in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. There was also a positive correlation between NLR and EORTC recurrence and progression scores.

Can haematologic parameters be used for differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymitis?

A differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymitis has serious importance for testicular health. In emergency conditions, if testicular torsion goes unnoticed and epididymo-orchitis is diagnosed, organ loss may occur. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of haematologic parameters for the diagnosis of both testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis and for differential diagnosis of these two diseases. Patients were divided into three groups as those undergoing surgery for testicular torsion, those receiving medical treatment for epididymitis and a healthy control group. All patients had complete blood counts taken with determinations of mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and leucocyte counts. These were then compared between groups. Leucocyte, MPV and NLR values were higher in both the epididymitis and torsion groups compared to the controls (p < .001). Platelet counts and PLR were significantly higher in the epididymitis group compared to the other two groups (p < .001). Leucocyte, MPV and NLR values may be used in the diagnosis of epididymitis and testicular torsion. Platelet counts and PLR appear to be useful in differentiating epididymitis from testicular torsion. However, there is a need for prospective studies with larger numbers of patients.