The Comparative Study of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients with Breast Mass

Introduction: Breast masses, including benign and malignant, are prevalent among women. Diagnosis, determining the severity of the disease based on low-cost and less invasive biomarkers may be helpful in early screening and increasing patient survival. The neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) and the platelet to lymphocyte (PLR) ratio, and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are markers of systemic inflammation, and numerous studies investigated and discussed the potential role of inflammation in cancer's pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the association of NLR, PLR, and CRP levels with the type of breast masses. Material and methods Peripheral blood samples of two hundred women diagnosed with breast mass were obtained to analyze the NLR, PLR, and CRP levels. Results: The optimal cut-off levels for NLR, PLR, and CRP levels were defined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (NLR=۱.۲۴, PLR=۰.۹۶, and CRP=۱۰.۳۶ mg/L). The mean age of patients was ۴۲.۳۹ ± ۱۱.۸۳ years. About ۵۱.۵% of participants had a benign tumor, while ۴۸.۵% had malignant lesions. There were significant differences between NLR (p< ۰.۰۰۱), PLR (p< ۰.۰۰۱), and CRP levels (p< ۰.۰۰۱) of patients with malignant masses compared to patients with benign ones. Conclusion: NLR, PLR, and CRP levels could reflect patients' inflammatory response and breast mass severity.

Keywords:

Immunoinflammatory-based biomarkers , Breast mass , NLR , PLR , CRP