ABSTRACT

We aimed to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil– lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and clinicopathological parameters during the diagnosis of follicular lymphoma (FL).

The data of 21 patients who were diagnosed with FL between December 2011 and May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The median NLR was 2.01 (range, 0.46-4.59), and the cut-off score for NLR was determined to be 2. NLR was >2 in 11 (52%) patients.

No correlation was found between NLR and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels; follicular lymphoma international prognostic index (FLIPI) score; disease stage; tumor grade; treatment necessity; presence of B symptoms; and presence of extranodal, bone marrow, hepatic, and splenic involvement (p>0.05).

We could not demonstrate a relation between NLR and clinicopathological parameters in FL patients. The retrospective nature of the study, small sample size, short follow-up period, and indolent nature of FL may be the reasons for these unexpected results.

Keywords: Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, follicular lymphoma, prognostic factor