Role of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio in predicting lymphovascular invasion in carcinoma breast

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammation is a protective response which involves immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators. Neutrophils and lymphocytes help in healing and regeneration of damaged tissues and also fight infections. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is used as a pointer or marker for inflammation both clinical and subclinical. The presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is understood as or points to increased risk of axillary lymph node and distant metastases. Aims and Objectives: To compare neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio [NLR] with lymphovascular invasion in carcinoma breast. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted at JSS Hospital Mysuru over a period of two years comprising of 100 patients diagnosed as carcinoma breast and results were drawn. All demographic data was tabulated and measured as proportion, mean, standard deviation and the inferential statistics were obtained using Chi-square and Cramer's V tests. Results: 65% of carcinoma breast cases in our study had lymphovascular invasion. The percentage of lymphovascular invasion increased with increase in NLR progressively with 22.2 percent in category A to 91.8 percent in category D. Conclusion:Increase in neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is associated with increased incidence of lymphovascular invasion in carcinoma breast.