Prediction of late recurrence in patients with breast cancer: elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at 5 years after diagnosis and late recurrence.

A clinically valid biomarker to determine late recurrence is urgently needed to prevent patients from treatment extension with little benefit. Elevated NLR is found as an independent prognostic factor for late recurrence and could be utilized as a reliable, easily accessible, and cost-effective test.