Objective: To determine and compare the diagnostic efficiency of various biomarkers [C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLCR), lactate, procalcitonin, blood culture] in the identif...Objective: To determine and compare the diagnostic efficiency of various biomarkers [C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLCR), lactate, procalcitonin, blood culture] in the identification of septic patients in emergency department (ED), and to assess the predictive value of combination of markers. Methods: This was a prospective, single centre study conducted in the ED of an urban, tertiary care hospital. We included patients who were admitted to the ED with symptoms of a possible infection. Blood cultures and serum measurement of the biomarkers were collected from 131 patients. Patients were determined to be septic or non-septic, based on the systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and the diagnosis was made at the ED. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under curves (AUC) were calculated. Results: A total of 126 patients, 61 with sepsis and 65 without sepsis were eventually included in the study. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio displayed the highest accuracy in diagnosing sepsis (AUC 0.735, 95% CI=0648-0.822, P<0.001). The best combination of markers in predicting sepsis was NLCR and white blood cell (AUC: 0.801, 95% CI=0.724-0.878, P<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this small study showed that NLCR outperforms other markers in diagnosing sepsis in ED. It is readily available, cost efficient, non invasive and independent. It may be insufficient to rely on this single marker to diagnose sepsis, so some other diagnostic utilities should be taken into account as one part of the overall assessment. Our study also showed that combination of NLCR and white blood cell provides the highest diagnostic accuracy. More large scale studies across different population groups will be needed to confirm this finding.展开更多
AIM: To validate whether the platelet count/spleen size ratio can be used to predict the presence of esophageal varices in Mexican patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
Background and Objective The white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio(WMR)has recently been described as a predictor of cardiovascular events in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)...Background and Objective The white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio(WMR)has recently been described as a predictor of cardiovascular events in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of admission WMR in predicting outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).展开更多
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide.Therefore,it is critically important to identify new useful markers that can be easily obtained in routine practice.Inflammation is a crucial ...BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide.Therefore,it is critically important to identify new useful markers that can be easily obtained in routine practice.Inflammation is a crucial issue in the pathogenesis and development of cancer.AIM To evaluate the prognostic value of absolute monocyte count,monocyte to lymphocyte ratio(MLR),the combination of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR-PLR),and combined platelet and neutrophilto-lymphocyte ratio(PLT-NLR)in peripheral blood samples of patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery.METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 160 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery,and 42 healthy controls.The status of absolute monocyte count,MLR,NLR-PLR and PLT-NLR was calculated on the basis of blood samples obtained before and after surgery.Haematologic factors were examined in correlation with the type of tumour growth,tumour size,histological type,percentage of mucinous component,grade of malignancy,Tumour-Node-Metastasis stage,venous,lymphatic and perineural invasion of cancer cells,status of lymph node invasion and the presence of cancer cell deposits.The Kaplan-Meier method and the long-rank test were used to compare survival curves.To determine independent prognostic factors,univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied.RESULTS The PLT-NLR status was correlated with tumour size and the presence of perineural invasion(P=0.015;P=-0.174,P=0.037).Moreover,high NLR-PLR and PLR-NLR ratios in the blood samples obtained after surgery were positively associated with histological type of cancer and percentage of the mucinous component(NLR-PLR:P=0.002;P=0.009;PLR-NLR status:P=0.002;P=0.007).The analysis of 5-year disease-free survival showed that the MLR of whole blood obtained after surgery[HR=2.903,95%CI:(1.368-6.158),P=0.005]and the status of lymph node metastasis[HR=0.813,95%CI:(0.653-1.013),P=0.050]were independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer patients.CONCLUSION The postoperative MLR in whole blood samples can be used as an independent prognostic factor in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.展开更多
BACKGROUND Platelet count or complete blood count(CBC)-based ratios including lymphocyteto-monocyte(LMR),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte(NLR),hemoglobin-to-platelet(HPR),red blood cell count distribution width-to-platelet(RP...BACKGROUND Platelet count or complete blood count(CBC)-based ratios including lymphocyteto-monocyte(LMR),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte(NLR),hemoglobin-to-platelet(HPR),red blood cell count distribution width-to-platelet(RPR),and platelet-tolymphocyte(PLR)ratio are good predictors of colorectal cancer(CRC)survival.Their change in time is not well documented,however.AIM To investigate the effect of longitudinal CBC ratio changes on CRC survival and their possible associations with clinicopathological properties,comorbidities,and anamnestic data.METHODS A retrospective longitudinal observational study was conducted with the inclusion of 835 CRC patients,who attended at Semmelweis University,Budapest.CBC ratios and two additional newly defined personalized platelet count metrics(pPLT_(D)and pPLT_(S),the platelet counts relative to the measurement at the time of CRC diagnosis and to the one 4-6 wk after tumor removal surgery,respectively)were recorded.RESULTS The 835 CRC patients had a total of 4608 measurements(5.52 visits/patient,in average).Longitudinal survival models revealed that the increases/decreases in LMR[hazard ratio(HR):0.4989,P<0.0001],NLR(HR:1.0819,P<0.0001),HPR(HR:0.0533,P=0.0038),pPLT_(D)(HR:4.9229,P<0.0001),and pPLT_(S)(HR:4.7568,P<0.0001)values were poor prognostic signs of disease-specific survival.The same was obtained for all-cause mortality.Most abnormal changes occurred within the first 3 years after the diagnosis of CRC.RPR and PLR had an only marginal effect on diseasespecific(P=0.0675)and all-cause mortality(Bayesian 95%credible interval:0.90–186.05),respectively.CONCLUSION LMR,NLR,and HPR are good metrics to follow the prognosis of the disease.pPLT_(D)and pPLT_(S)perform just as well as the former,while the use of RPR and PLR with the course of the disease is not recommended.Early detection of the abnormal changes in pPLT_(D),pPLT_(S),LMR,NLR,or HPR may alert the practicing oncologist for further therapy decisions in a timely manner.展开更多
Background and objective: During routine follow up, there is no specific predictor to ascertain relapse after standard first line chemotherapy in diffuse large cell lymphoma. Therefore, this study was designed to asse...Background and objective: During routine follow up, there is no specific predictor to ascertain relapse after standard first line chemotherapy in diffuse large cell lymphoma. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the prognostic significance of the ratio between absolute lymphocyte and monocyte counts (LMR) in the peripheral blood to verify relapse in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Patients and methods: A total of 139 patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were evaluated and treated with CHOP or R-CHOP between the years 2009 and 2016. Three months following completion of first line therapy, Lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR) was calculated from the routine automated complete blood cell count (CBC) attained a plateau after the bone marrow recovery after first line chemotherapy. The absolute lymphocyte count/absolute monocyte count ratio (LMR) was calculated by dividing the ALC by the AMC. Results: ROC curve analysis of 139 patients established 2.8 as cutoff point of LMR for relapse with AUC of 0.97 (95% CI 0.93 - 0.99, P ≤ 0.001). Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting relapse. In univariate regression analysis, ALC (95% CI 0.003 - 0.03, p ≤ 0.001), AMC (95% CI 15.4 - 128.8, p ≤ 0.001), LMR (95% CI 0.001 - 0.01, p ≤ 0.001), and LDH (95% CI 0.1 - 0.5, p ≤ 0.001) following completion of therapy are significant factors for relapse. Other significant factors for relapse are Ann Arbor stage (95% CI 1.1 - 6.9, P = 0.03), extranodal sites (95% CI 1.2 - 6.1, P = 0.01), age (95% CI 1.3 - 6.5, P = 0.01) and treatment of CHOP protocol (95% CI 0.05 - 0.6, P = 0.007). In a multivariate analysis LMR following completion of therapy was predictive for relapse (95% CI 0.001 - 0.2, P = 0.005). ALC was also significant in multivariate analysis (95% CI 0.01 - 0.8, P = 0.03). LDH following completion of therapy (95% CI 0.2 - 14.9, P = 0.5), AMC following completion of therapy (95% CI 0.3 - 43.1, P = 0.3), age (95% CI 0.9 - 205.4, P = 0.06), extra-nodal sites (95% CI 0.04 - 9.8, P = 0.8), Ann Arbor stage (95% CI 0.3 - 28.7, P = 0.3), and Treatment of CHOP protocol (95% CI 0.01 - 2.4, P = 0.2) were not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study observed that LMR assessed after first line chemotherapy during routine follow up is an independent predictor of relapse and clinical outcome in DLBCL patients. LMR at follow up can be used a simple inexpensive biomarker to alert clinicians for relapse during follow up after standard first line chemotherapy in DLBCL patients.展开更多
目的探讨人外周血早期中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,NLR)、血小板-淋巴细胞比值(platelet to lymphocyte ratio,PLR)和中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞和血小板比值(neutrophils to lymphocytes and platelets ratio,N/...目的探讨人外周血早期中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,NLR)、血小板-淋巴细胞比值(platelet to lymphocyte ratio,PLR)和中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞和血小板比值(neutrophils to lymphocytes and platelets ratio,N/LP)在重度创伤性颅脑损伤(severe traumatic brain injury,sTBI)患者早期结果中的预测价值。方法回顾性分析2014年6月-2016年12月中国医科大学第七临床学院神经外科收治的95例sTBI患者的临床资料。比较预后良好组(n=36)和预后不良组(n=59)患者的早期NLR、PLR和N/LP差异,分析影响预后相关危险因素并绘制森林图,采用多因素logsitic回归确定独立危险因素并构建临床预测模型;绘制出受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC),分析并比较NLR、PLR和N/LP单独或联合其他指标构建出的不同临床预测模型的差异。结果sTBI预后良好组和预后不良组早期NLR、PLR和N/LP比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素logsitic回归分析提示,年龄、入院格拉斯哥昏迷评分(Glasgow coma scale,GCS)、NLR、PLR和N/LP是影响sTBI患者早期结果的独立危险因素,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。根据多因素logstic回归分析构建出19个临床预后预测模型,其中NLR+PLR+N/LP及其联合指标(年龄和GCS)模型曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)均高于同组其他模型,分别为0.912、0.935、0.933和0.954;Age+GCS+NLR+PLR+N/LP预测模型在所有组别中AUC最大,表明该模型预测患者预后的价值最高。结论NLR、PLR和N/LP的升高与sTBI不良预后相关;早期NLR、PLR及N/LP联合年龄和GCS评分在sTBI早期结果预测中具有重要价值。展开更多
AIM: To investigate a link between lymph node yield and systemic inflammatory response in colon cancer. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was interrogated. All patients undergoing curative colonic resection...AIM: To investigate a link between lymph node yield and systemic inflammatory response in colon cancer. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was interrogated. All patients undergoing curative colonic resection were included. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and albumin were used as markers of SIR. In keeping with previously studies, NLR ≥ 4, albumin < 35 was used as cut off points for SIR. Statistical analysis was performed using 2 sample t-test and χ~2 tests where appropriate.RESULTS: Three hundred and two patients were included for analysis. One hundred and ninety-five patients had NLR < 4 and 107 had NLR ≥ 4. There was no difference in age or sex between groups. Patients with NLR of ≥ 4 had lower mean lymph node yields than patients with NLR < 4 [17.6 ± 7.1 vs 19.2 ± 7.9(P = 0.036)]. More patients with an elevated NLR had node positive disease and an increased lymph node ratio(≥ 0.25, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Prognosis in colon cancer is intimately linked to the patient’s immune response. Assuming standardised surgical technique and sub specialty pathology, lymph node count is reduced when systemic inflammatory response is activated.展开更多
文摘Objective: To determine and compare the diagnostic efficiency of various biomarkers [C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLCR), lactate, procalcitonin, blood culture] in the identification of septic patients in emergency department (ED), and to assess the predictive value of combination of markers. Methods: This was a prospective, single centre study conducted in the ED of an urban, tertiary care hospital. We included patients who were admitted to the ED with symptoms of a possible infection. Blood cultures and serum measurement of the biomarkers were collected from 131 patients. Patients were determined to be septic or non-septic, based on the systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and the diagnosis was made at the ED. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under curves (AUC) were calculated. Results: A total of 126 patients, 61 with sepsis and 65 without sepsis were eventually included in the study. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio displayed the highest accuracy in diagnosing sepsis (AUC 0.735, 95% CI=0648-0.822, P<0.001). The best combination of markers in predicting sepsis was NLCR and white blood cell (AUC: 0.801, 95% CI=0.724-0.878, P<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this small study showed that NLCR outperforms other markers in diagnosing sepsis in ED. It is readily available, cost efficient, non invasive and independent. It may be insufficient to rely on this single marker to diagnose sepsis, so some other diagnostic utilities should be taken into account as one part of the overall assessment. Our study also showed that combination of NLCR and white blood cell provides the highest diagnostic accuracy. More large scale studies across different population groups will be needed to confirm this finding.
文摘AIM: To validate whether the platelet count/spleen size ratio can be used to predict the presence of esophageal varices in Mexican patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
文摘Background and Objective The white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio(WMR)has recently been described as a predictor of cardiovascular events in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of admission WMR in predicting outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).
文摘BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide.Therefore,it is critically important to identify new useful markers that can be easily obtained in routine practice.Inflammation is a crucial issue in the pathogenesis and development of cancer.AIM To evaluate the prognostic value of absolute monocyte count,monocyte to lymphocyte ratio(MLR),the combination of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR-PLR),and combined platelet and neutrophilto-lymphocyte ratio(PLT-NLR)in peripheral blood samples of patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery.METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 160 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery,and 42 healthy controls.The status of absolute monocyte count,MLR,NLR-PLR and PLT-NLR was calculated on the basis of blood samples obtained before and after surgery.Haematologic factors were examined in correlation with the type of tumour growth,tumour size,histological type,percentage of mucinous component,grade of malignancy,Tumour-Node-Metastasis stage,venous,lymphatic and perineural invasion of cancer cells,status of lymph node invasion and the presence of cancer cell deposits.The Kaplan-Meier method and the long-rank test were used to compare survival curves.To determine independent prognostic factors,univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied.RESULTS The PLT-NLR status was correlated with tumour size and the presence of perineural invasion(P=0.015;P=-0.174,P=0.037).Moreover,high NLR-PLR and PLR-NLR ratios in the blood samples obtained after surgery were positively associated with histological type of cancer and percentage of the mucinous component(NLR-PLR:P=0.002;P=0.009;PLR-NLR status:P=0.002;P=0.007).The analysis of 5-year disease-free survival showed that the MLR of whole blood obtained after surgery[HR=2.903,95%CI:(1.368-6.158),P=0.005]and the status of lymph node metastasis[HR=0.813,95%CI:(0.653-1.013),P=0.050]were independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer patients.CONCLUSION The postoperative MLR in whole blood samples can be used as an independent prognostic factor in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
基金Supported by the New National Excellence Program of the Hungarian Ministry for Innovation and Technology from the source of the National Research,Development and Innovation Fund,No.UNKP-20-4-Ithe Hungarian National Research,Development and Innovation Office,No.NVKP_16-1-2016-0042.
文摘BACKGROUND Platelet count or complete blood count(CBC)-based ratios including lymphocyteto-monocyte(LMR),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte(NLR),hemoglobin-to-platelet(HPR),red blood cell count distribution width-to-platelet(RPR),and platelet-tolymphocyte(PLR)ratio are good predictors of colorectal cancer(CRC)survival.Their change in time is not well documented,however.AIM To investigate the effect of longitudinal CBC ratio changes on CRC survival and their possible associations with clinicopathological properties,comorbidities,and anamnestic data.METHODS A retrospective longitudinal observational study was conducted with the inclusion of 835 CRC patients,who attended at Semmelweis University,Budapest.CBC ratios and two additional newly defined personalized platelet count metrics(pPLT_(D)and pPLT_(S),the platelet counts relative to the measurement at the time of CRC diagnosis and to the one 4-6 wk after tumor removal surgery,respectively)were recorded.RESULTS The 835 CRC patients had a total of 4608 measurements(5.52 visits/patient,in average).Longitudinal survival models revealed that the increases/decreases in LMR[hazard ratio(HR):0.4989,P<0.0001],NLR(HR:1.0819,P<0.0001),HPR(HR:0.0533,P=0.0038),pPLT_(D)(HR:4.9229,P<0.0001),and pPLT_(S)(HR:4.7568,P<0.0001)values were poor prognostic signs of disease-specific survival.The same was obtained for all-cause mortality.Most abnormal changes occurred within the first 3 years after the diagnosis of CRC.RPR and PLR had an only marginal effect on diseasespecific(P=0.0675)and all-cause mortality(Bayesian 95%credible interval:0.90–186.05),respectively.CONCLUSION LMR,NLR,and HPR are good metrics to follow the prognosis of the disease.pPLT_(D)and pPLT_(S)perform just as well as the former,while the use of RPR and PLR with the course of the disease is not recommended.Early detection of the abnormal changes in pPLT_(D),pPLT_(S),LMR,NLR,or HPR may alert the practicing oncologist for further therapy decisions in a timely manner.
文摘Background and objective: During routine follow up, there is no specific predictor to ascertain relapse after standard first line chemotherapy in diffuse large cell lymphoma. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the prognostic significance of the ratio between absolute lymphocyte and monocyte counts (LMR) in the peripheral blood to verify relapse in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Patients and methods: A total of 139 patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were evaluated and treated with CHOP or R-CHOP between the years 2009 and 2016. Three months following completion of first line therapy, Lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR) was calculated from the routine automated complete blood cell count (CBC) attained a plateau after the bone marrow recovery after first line chemotherapy. The absolute lymphocyte count/absolute monocyte count ratio (LMR) was calculated by dividing the ALC by the AMC. Results: ROC curve analysis of 139 patients established 2.8 as cutoff point of LMR for relapse with AUC of 0.97 (95% CI 0.93 - 0.99, P ≤ 0.001). Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting relapse. In univariate regression analysis, ALC (95% CI 0.003 - 0.03, p ≤ 0.001), AMC (95% CI 15.4 - 128.8, p ≤ 0.001), LMR (95% CI 0.001 - 0.01, p ≤ 0.001), and LDH (95% CI 0.1 - 0.5, p ≤ 0.001) following completion of therapy are significant factors for relapse. Other significant factors for relapse are Ann Arbor stage (95% CI 1.1 - 6.9, P = 0.03), extranodal sites (95% CI 1.2 - 6.1, P = 0.01), age (95% CI 1.3 - 6.5, P = 0.01) and treatment of CHOP protocol (95% CI 0.05 - 0.6, P = 0.007). In a multivariate analysis LMR following completion of therapy was predictive for relapse (95% CI 0.001 - 0.2, P = 0.005). ALC was also significant in multivariate analysis (95% CI 0.01 - 0.8, P = 0.03). LDH following completion of therapy (95% CI 0.2 - 14.9, P = 0.5), AMC following completion of therapy (95% CI 0.3 - 43.1, P = 0.3), age (95% CI 0.9 - 205.4, P = 0.06), extra-nodal sites (95% CI 0.04 - 9.8, P = 0.8), Ann Arbor stage (95% CI 0.3 - 28.7, P = 0.3), and Treatment of CHOP protocol (95% CI 0.01 - 2.4, P = 0.2) were not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study observed that LMR assessed after first line chemotherapy during routine follow up is an independent predictor of relapse and clinical outcome in DLBCL patients. LMR at follow up can be used a simple inexpensive biomarker to alert clinicians for relapse during follow up after standard first line chemotherapy in DLBCL patients.
文摘目的探讨人外周血早期中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,NLR)、血小板-淋巴细胞比值(platelet to lymphocyte ratio,PLR)和中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞和血小板比值(neutrophils to lymphocytes and platelets ratio,N/LP)在重度创伤性颅脑损伤(severe traumatic brain injury,sTBI)患者早期结果中的预测价值。方法回顾性分析2014年6月-2016年12月中国医科大学第七临床学院神经外科收治的95例sTBI患者的临床资料。比较预后良好组(n=36)和预后不良组(n=59)患者的早期NLR、PLR和N/LP差异,分析影响预后相关危险因素并绘制森林图,采用多因素logsitic回归确定独立危险因素并构建临床预测模型;绘制出受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC),分析并比较NLR、PLR和N/LP单独或联合其他指标构建出的不同临床预测模型的差异。结果sTBI预后良好组和预后不良组早期NLR、PLR和N/LP比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素logsitic回归分析提示,年龄、入院格拉斯哥昏迷评分(Glasgow coma scale,GCS)、NLR、PLR和N/LP是影响sTBI患者早期结果的独立危险因素,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。根据多因素logstic回归分析构建出19个临床预后预测模型,其中NLR+PLR+N/LP及其联合指标(年龄和GCS)模型曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)均高于同组其他模型,分别为0.912、0.935、0.933和0.954;Age+GCS+NLR+PLR+N/LP预测模型在所有组别中AUC最大,表明该模型预测患者预后的价值最高。结论NLR、PLR和N/LP的升高与sTBI不良预后相关;早期NLR、PLR及N/LP联合年龄和GCS评分在sTBI早期结果预测中具有重要价值。
文摘AIM: To investigate a link between lymph node yield and systemic inflammatory response in colon cancer. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was interrogated. All patients undergoing curative colonic resection were included. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and albumin were used as markers of SIR. In keeping with previously studies, NLR ≥ 4, albumin < 35 was used as cut off points for SIR. Statistical analysis was performed using 2 sample t-test and χ~2 tests where appropriate.RESULTS: Three hundred and two patients were included for analysis. One hundred and ninety-five patients had NLR < 4 and 107 had NLR ≥ 4. There was no difference in age or sex between groups. Patients with NLR of ≥ 4 had lower mean lymph node yields than patients with NLR < 4 [17.6 ± 7.1 vs 19.2 ± 7.9(P = 0.036)]. More patients with an elevated NLR had node positive disease and an increased lymph node ratio(≥ 0.25, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Prognosis in colon cancer is intimately linked to the patient’s immune response. Assuming standardised surgical technique and sub specialty pathology, lymph node count is reduced when systemic inflammatory response is activated.