title: Diagnostic value of neutrophil-lymphocyte and albumin-globulin ratios in canine soft tissue sarcoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the ability of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albumin-to-globulin ratio to differentiate soft tissue sarcoma from benign soft tissue tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of pretreatment haematology and biochemistry in dogs diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma or benign soft tissue tumours. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albumin-to-globulin ratio were compared between the two groups. In dogs diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, the relationship of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albumin-to-globulin ratio to histological tumour grade (I to III) was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the dogs with soft tissue sarcoma (n=22), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly increased and the albumin-to-globulin ratio decreased compared to those with benign soft tissue tumours (n=14). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albumin-to globulin ratio were not useful as predictors of tumour grade in dogs diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albumin-to globulin ratio may aid with diagnosis and optimal treatment planning. Further investigation into their prognostic implications is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: North East Veterinary Referrals, Northumberland Business Park West, Cramlington, NE23 7RH.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pratschke
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mellor
authors.affiliation: Bridge Pathology Ltd., Horfield, Bristol, BS7 0BJ.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scase
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mclauchlan
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005916:Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D005916:Globulins