Prognostic significance of the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio in percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens of advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

Background: The prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in surgically resected carcinomas was reported. To apply this to inoperable nonsmall cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) of Stage IIIB-IV, the authors estimated the occurrence of TILs using percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens, and tested the validity of this method.

Methods: The authors defined the L-N index as [L(S)/(L(S) + N(S)) - L(B)/(L(B) + N(B))], in which L(S) and N(S) denoted lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in the aspiration smear, and L(B) and N(B) denoted lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in the peripheral blood specimen.

[Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor growing with polypoid pattern in the renal pelvis].

A 68-year-old woman was found incidentally to have right hydronephrosis and a renal pelvic mass by abdominal ultrasonography. Radiographic examinations revealed a heterogeneous renal pelvic tumor, and right nephroureterectomy was performed. The tumor was well circumscribed yellow-whitish solid mass with scattered cysts.

Mental state as a possible independent prognostic variable for survival in patients with advanced lung carcinoma.

Background: Although psychologic factors have been reported to influence the progression of cancer, this theory remains controversial. A prospective study of patients with advanced lung carcinoma was performed to explore the influence of the patient's mental state on survival.

Methods: The patient's mental state was assessed with the Tokyo University Egogram.