Introduction
The prevalence of all cancer types, including prostate cancer (PCa),
have increased with the more extensive usage of the cancer screening
program. PCa has been the second most observed cancer type, while it is
the fifth most common cause of death in men. 1.3 million new cases were
diagnosed in the world in 2018.1 After the discovery
of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), most of the patients with PCa
have been detected at an early stage. However, a digital rectal
examination (DRE) or high level of PSA may be insufficient in finding
the index patient. A false positive PSA level in patients with benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and/or prostatitis, result in an
unnecessary biopsy. The multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging
(mpMRI) with a standardized reporting system (Prostate Imaging Reporting
and Data System [PI-RADS] has begun being used as a clinical
parameter for PCa diagnosis.2,3 Despite these
improvements on the technology, the results are still controversial, and
the total cost of these tests could still be a large burden on the
economy of the health system. Therefore, a new diagnostic method or
scoring system, which is readily available in clinical practice, is
still needed for the correct decision of prostate biopsy.
The initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer does not only
depend on the type of tumor cells, but systemic inflammation and
nutritional status play important roles in the development of the
cancer.4-6 Recent studies have identified a new
inflammation index called HALP, a combination of hemoglobin, albumin,
lymphocytes, and platelets, which could show the status of both the
immune system and the nutrition status of the patient. This novel score
system has proven to be a good prognostic indicator in gastric,
colorectal, renal, bladder, and prostate cancers.7-11However, there have been no studies which have been performed an
assessment on the HALP score as a diagnostic marker of PCa. In this
study we aimed to investigate if there was any statistically significant
difference of the HALP score between patients with PCa or BPH.