Prognostic Value of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio in Head and Neck Malignancies.

To study the prognostic significance of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in head and neck cancers. The study included 170 cases of histopathologically diagnosed head and neck cancer patients and 80 control subjects. NLR and PLR of patients with head and neck cancers were compared to the control group. The correlation between NLR and PLR values and factors such as age, gender, duration of symptoms, site of tumour, histological type, histological grading, T-category, N-category and TNM stages in cancer patients were analysed. NLR and PLR were statistically higher in cancer patients compared to control. There was a non-significant increase in both NLR and PLR with advancing degree of differentiation and TNM Stages of the cancer patients. A significant increase in NLR and PLR with increasing T Categories and increasing N Categories of head and neck cancer patients was obtained. NLR and PLR can be used to estimate tumour prognosis in head and neck cancers. Increased NLR and PLR values can be used as a marker for poor prognosis. However further studies with larger study groups including treatment response and surveillance should be carried out to corroborate these results.

Use of Aloe Vera and Turmeric Paste as a Supplementary Medicine in Oral Submucosal Fibrosis: A Pilot Study.

Oral submucosal fibrosis is the major health issue affecting 2.5 million Indian population under the age of 40 years. All the available treatments give only symptomatic relief which is short lived.The incidence of Oral submucosal fibrosis still rising alarmingly and there is a dire need to search for an effective and safe remedy because of lack of present therapies to either provide a complete cure or treating the patients at the cost of adverse effects. A total of 140 clinically diagnosed patients with Oral submucosal fibrosis (diagnosed on the basis of reduction in interincisal distance on maximum mouth opening and palpable fibrous bands involving oral mucosa) within the age range of 18-50 years with decreased interincisal opening were selected (time period 1.5 year). These patients were given Inj. Triamcinolone (40 mg) and Inj Hyaluronidase every 21 days. Pt was divided in 2 groups (each containing both males and females) those receiving Triamcinolone ointment alone BD (control) and those receiving Triamcinolone ointment BD along with turmeric & aloe vera paste combination (test). A statistically significant improvement was seen in both burning sensation and mouth opening in both males and females. The result of the study shows that the synergistic action of these herbs results in higher efficacy and highly potent Oral submucosal fibrosis treatment.