Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients undergoing curative surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma


Creative Commons License

Sarıtaş A. G., Ülkü A., Topal U., Dalcı K., Eray İ. C., Akçam A. T.

Annals of Medical Research, vol.27, no.11, pp.2926, 2020 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 27 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Journal Name: Annals of Medical Research
  • Journal Indexes: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.2926
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Abstract

Aim: the purpose of this study is to determine the prognostic value of the preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in

patients who underwent curative surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent curative resection for HCC between 2004 and 2015 were included in the study.

Patients were divided into two groups based on the cut-off value: Group 1 (NLR low) and Group 2 (NLR elevated). Demographics and

clinical characteristics, tumor characteristics, and mean survival of patients were compared between the groups.

Results: 41 patients were included in our study and Group 1 (NLR low) consisted of (n:11) patients; Group 2 (NLR elevated) consisted

of (n:30) patients based on a cut-off value of 2.43. The number of males was higher in both groups (90.9% vs 90%, p:0.712). The

Child-Plug class A was the most common one in both groups (81.8%vs76.7%, p:0.680). HBV infection was the most common

etiological cause (81.8% vs 53.3%, p:0.344). Lesions were predominantly located in the right lobe (63.6% vs 66.7%, p:0.568). The total

tumor diameter was similar (6.56 cm vs 8.69 cm, p:0.258). In the multivariate analysis for survival, tumor diameter greater than 5

cm (HR 1.412 95% - Cl0.345-5.780, p:0.018) and NLR higher than 2.43 (HR 0.100 95% -Cl 0.011-0.882, p:0.038) were independent

risk factors. Overall survival time was found to be lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (171 vs 106 months p:0.033). Disease-free

survival rates were similar in the groups (37 vs 43 months, p:0.485).

Conclusion: Although the elevated NLR level was found to be a risk factor for decreased overall survival in our study, this was not

related to clinicopathological variables.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; surgical resection; prognosis.