title: Evaluation of white blood cell count as a possible prognostic marker for oral cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There seems to be increasing evidence that inflammation leads to cancer. For several cancers, an association with white blood cell (WBC) count has been reported. So far, no studies have been performed for cancer of the oral cavity and WBC. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to look at whether WBC count can be used as a prognostic marker for recurrence or metastases for oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  For 278 patients with oral cancer, the preoperative WBC count was compared with the clinicopathological information: age, gender, T-status, N-status, recurrence, metastases, follow-up time, and time till recurrence or metastases appeared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 278 patients, 48 developed recurrence, 24 second tumors, 46 cervical metastases, and 14 distant metastases. The mean follow-up time was 35.97 months (range: 12-107 months). Significant Pearson correlation at the 0.05 level could be found for the T-status (0.046), but not for the N status (0.121). No significant correlation could be found between WBC count and the development of recurrence or metastases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that elevated WBC count does not seem to be a predictor for recurrence or for further metastases. Further research is recommended to investigate the WBC count in precancerous lesions and in HPV positive patients with oral SCC.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Zurich, Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Zurich/Switzerland. astridkruse@gmx.ch
authors.forename: Astrid L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Heinz T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Luebbers
authors.forename: Klaus W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Grätz
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment