The Relationship Between Changes in the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Radiological Progression in Cervical Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral counts of neutrophils and lymphocytes and their changes have been associated with disease prognosis in various malignancies. Although some studies have reported on the changes and clinical significance of peripheral blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in cervical cancer, its prognostic value in locally advanced cervical cancer is still uncertain.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cervical cancer patients undergoing definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT). NLR values were identified pre- and post-CRT, and changes in these values were calculated. We evaluated the relationship between NLR changes, clinicopathological characteristics, and disease prognosis.
RESULTS: Eighty-five patients who were treated with CRT for locally advanced cervical cancer were analyzed. The rate of decrease in NLR in patients with progression was 22.2%, while in patients without progression was 17.2%. The rate of increase in NLR in patients with progression was 77.8.2%, while in patients without progression was 82.8%. Increased and decreased NLR were not found to have a significant relationship with disease progression (p=0.584).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The effect of NLR changes on the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer requires further verification in multicenter studies.