Role of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides.

BACKGROUND

The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at baseline has been demonstrated to correlate with higher stages of disease and to be a prognostic factor in numerous cancers. However, its function as a prognostic factor for mycosis fungoides (MF) has not been yet clarified.

OBJECTIVE

Our work aimed to assess the association of the NLR with different stages of MF and to outline whether higher values of this marker are related to a more aggressive MF.

METHODS

We retrospectively calculated the NLRs in 302 MF patients at the moment of diagnosis. The NLR was obtained using the complete blood count values.

RESULTS

The median NLR among patients with early stage disease (low-grade IA-IB-IIA) was 1.88, while the median NLR for patients with high-grade MF (IIB-IIIA-IIIB) was 2.64. Statistical analysis showed positive associations of advanced MF stages with NLRs higher than 2.3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis demonstrates that the NLR represents a cheap and easily available parameter functioning as a marker for advanced MF. This might guide physicians in recognizing patients with advanced stages of disease requiring a strict follow-up or an early treatment.