Elevation of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Is a Significant Poor Prognostic Factor in Completely Resected Centrally Located Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) plays key roles in cancer growth. This study aimed to identify novel prognostic factors in patients who underwent complete resection of centrally located lung squamous cell carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively investigated the clinical courses of 45 patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy or pneumonectomy for centrally located squamous cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

High NLR (p<0.001) and pathological T3/4 (p=0.008) were significant poor prognostic factors according to univariate analysis. Patients with pathological N2 had poor prognosis; however, there was no significant difference (p=0.095). Among these factors, only high NLR (p=0.003) was an independent poor prognostic factor according to multivariate analysis. Of the 23 patients with high NLR, 11 (49%) had recurrence, whereas in the 22 patients without high NLR, only two (9%) had recurrence.

CONCLUSION

High NLR is an independent poor prognostic factor in centrally located lung squamous cell carcinoma. Our findings may guide the selection of optimal treatments for this subgroup of patients.