Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Small Renal Masses

Abstract

Introduction . To evaluate the association between preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and clinicopathologic characteristics in patients with small renal masses (SRM). Methods . Retrospective chart reviews of patients with renal masses ≤4 cm who underwent nephrectomy from January 2007 to July 2012 were conducted. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the association between preoperative NLR and clinicopathologic variables. Results . In 1001 patients, we noted higher mean preoperative NLR in men ( 3.0 ± 1.4 versus 2.6 ± 1.3 in women, P < 0.01 ) and Caucasians ( 2.9 ± 1.4 versus 1.9 ± 0.9 in African Americans, P < 0.01 ) but no significant differences in patients with low (I-II) versus high (III-IV) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores ( 2 . 8 ± 1.4 versus 2 . 9 ± 1.5 , P = 0 . 18 ) or benign versus malignant pathology ( 2.9 ± 1.4 versus 2.8 ± 1.3 , P = 0 . 75 ). Spearman correlation analysis ( ρ ) showed preoperative NLR significantly correlated with age ( ρ = 0.15 , P < 0.01 ) and preoperative serum creatinine (Crea) [ ρ = 0.13 , P < 0.01 ]. On multivariable linear regression analysis older age, male gender, Caucasian race, and preoperative Crea were predictive of higher preoperative NLR, but ASA score and tumor pathology were not. Conclusions . In patients with SRM, we found no association between preoperative NLR and tumor pathology.