Significance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in prostate lesions with special reference to prostate cancer

Aim: To study the significance of neutrophil- lymphocyte ratio (N:L ratio) in prostate lesions, especially in cases of prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and Methods: Fifty cases of PCa and fifty cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), diagnosed on transurethral resection of prostate biopsies were included in the study. Hematological parameters were recorded, N:L ratio was calculated in all cases and values were compared between BPH and PCa, further association between pathological characters of PCa and N:L ratio values was studied. Results: In the present study, we found a statistically significant high N:L ratio in PCa cases as compared with BPH cases (p=0.008). We also found a significant difference in the PSA values (p<0.001) and ESR (0.001) between the benign and malignant groups. However hemoglobin, platelet counts and total leucocyte counts did not show a significant difference between the two groups. Sub group analysis failed to show an association between prognostic markers like PSA (p=0.838), gleason score (p=0.161), T (p=0.052) N (p=0.225) M (p=0.529) stage and N:L ratio. Conclusion: In this study, significant difference in N:L ratio was noted between BPH and PCa, but no association could be demonstrated between N:L ratio and prognostic markers in PCa. Hence N:L ratio cannot be used as a prognostic marker in PCa.