ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate peripheral neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, which is an indicator of immunity and systemic inflammation, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio in patients with breast cancer and its affect on lymphedema.

Material and Methods: The patients were dichotomized into two groups, ones with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and the control group cases with no identified BCRL. The BCRL group included 28 cases and the control group included 34. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values were compared between the groups. Intra and intergroup correlation analysis for NLR/PLR, visual analog scale (VAS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Q-DASH), and the volumetric and diametric differences between the upper extremities were computed.

Results: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the control group (p= 0.035). Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio values yielded similar results (p= 0.161). There was no correlation between NLR/PLR values and outcome parameters (r≤ 0.3; p> 0.05).

Conclusion: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and PLR are not clinically significant for lymphedema, pain, disability, physical function, and BCRL.

Keywords: Breast cancer related lymphedema, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte