From the GIOS cohort previously described (Proctor et al, 2010 (link)), patients who had samples including a differential white cell count (white cell count, neutrophil count and lymphocyte count) were included. At the time of data collection, the Scottish Cancer Registry (SCR) held complete pathological and clinical cancer diagnosis records from 1 January 1980 until 31 December 2007, and mortality follow-up until 30 June 2009. Deaths were classed as cancer-specific if the primary cause of death matched the primary cancer diagnosis. Otherwise, deaths were classed as non-cancer-specific. Cancer stage data was obtained from the SCR where available.
Patients with blood samples taken within 2 years of their cancer diagnosis were included in the analysis, and split into those sampled before and following cancer diagnosis. The dNLR was derived from the assumption that the white cell count is made up primarily of lymphocytes and neutrophils, and therefore, the white cell count minus the neutrophil count would be broadly similar to the lymphocyte count. As different thresholds have been suggested in the past (Ding et al, 2010 (link); Kim et al, 2010 (link); Ohno et al, 2010 (link); Sharaiha et al, 2011 (link)), several were examined to ascertain the optimal NLR and dNLR.
Patient inclusion criteria has been previously detailed and only cancer groups previously studied were included (Proctor et al, 2010 (link)). Ethical approval was granted for the present study by the Research Ethics Committee, North Glasgow NHS Trust.
Patients with blood samples taken within 2 years of their cancer diagnosis were included in the analysis, and split into those sampled before and following cancer diagnosis. The dNLR was derived from the assumption that the white cell count is made up primarily of lymphocytes and neutrophils, and therefore, the white cell count minus the neutrophil count would be broadly similar to the lymphocyte count. As different thresholds have been suggested in the past (Ding et al, 2010 (link); Kim et al, 2010 (link); Ohno et al, 2010 (link); Sharaiha et al, 2011 (link)), several were examined to ascertain the optimal NLR and dNLR.
Patient inclusion criteria has been previously detailed and only cancer groups previously studied were included (Proctor et al, 2010 (link)). Ethical approval was granted for the present study by the Research Ethics Committee, North Glasgow NHS Trust.
