Predictive value of inflammatory cell ratios in incidental thyroid papillary carcinoma

Introduction: Due to the well-known relationship between inflammatory processes and carcinogenesis, the diagnostic and prognostic value of systemic inflammatorymarkers are at the focus of research. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of inflammatory cell data obtained from complete blood count in incidentallydetected thyroid papillary carcinoma.Methods: A total of 100 cases were included in the study, consisting of histopathologically diagnosed multinodular hyperplasia (MNH) (N = 20), lymphocytic thyroiditis(LT) (n = 20), incidental thyroid papillary carcinoma (ITPC) (n = 20), incidental papillary carcinoma and lymphocytic thyroiditis (ITPCLT) (n = 20), and thyroid papillarycarcinoma (TPC) (n = 20). Neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/ lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet/neutrophil ratio (PNR), lymphocyte/ monocyte ratio (LMR)and lymphocyte/ eosinophil ratio (LER) values were compared between the groups.Results: No significant difference was detected between the groups concerning the mean inflammatory cell and platelet values. However, statistical significance wasobserved between the ITPC and ITPCLT groups regarding the mean LMR and LER values (p=0.009 and p=0.037, respectively). Higher LMR was found in the ITPCgroup, while higher LER was seen in the ITPCLT group.Conclusions: We suggest that besides ratios such as NLR and PLR used as systemic inflammatory markers in carcinogenetic processes, the evaluation of LER and LMRmight be imperative as well. Therefore, these potential markers should be studied in bigger series of tumors, especially where inflammatory processes are involved in theetiology