Can platelet Iymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio be used as prognostic predictors for hepatocellular carcinoma?

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the predictive value of platelet to lymphocyte and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios for hepatocellular carcinoma outcomes Material and Methods: 37 hepatocellular carcinoma patients were retrospectively collected. All of the hepatocellular carcinoma patients were treated with conventional methods; transarterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation or both. The patient and tumor characteristics, platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were recorded. The association between platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and tumor free survival rates, recurence rates, need of repeated conventional therapy were analyzed. Results: The mean MELD (model for end stage liver disease) score of 37 hepatocellular carcinoma patients was 10.75±4.484 (mean age 59.59±17.23 years). High platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were found to be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence (p<0.01). However platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were irrevelant with tumor size and number (p>0.05). Platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios were significantly high in patients who had repated transarterial chemoembolisation, radiofrequency ablation or both (p<0.01). The disease free survival of these patients who need repeated procedures was 6.5 months and it was significantly lower than the other patients (p<0.05) Conclusion: Platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were found to be predictive for aggressive cancer behavior, so they can be used as markers for hepatocellular carcinoma