Prognostic values of preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-related indices in advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prognostic values of preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and platelet-related indices in advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). METHODS: The data of 247 eligible advanced HPSCC patients were reviewed retrospectively. Pretreatment haematological parameters were categorised into two groups based on the result of X-tile, and several variates were assessed using chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier method, Cox univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off points of 171.4 for PLR, 260 × 109 /L for platelet, 10.4 fL for mean platelet volume (MPV) and 16.5% for platelet distribution width were defined. The haematological parameters PLR and MPV, postoperative metastasis and internal jugular vein invasion were statistically significant in OS and DFS analyses (P < .05). The high PLR (>171.4) or high MPV (>10.4 fL) was significantly associated with worse OS and DFS (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative levels of PLR and MPV could be considered as independent prognostic predictors in patients with advanced HPSCC.