The value of inflammatory parameters in the prognosis of malignant mesothelioma

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between potential prognostic parameters that may be associated with increased inflammation and survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM). Methods: This retrospective study assessed potential prognostic parameters measured at the time of MM diagnosis. Data on asbestos exposure, histopathological subtype of MM and laboratory parameters were collected. Results: In 155 patients with MM (90 male), mean survival time was 13.9 months. In univariate analysis, age ≥60 years and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥3 were associated with significantly shortened median survival times. In multivariate analysis, nonepithelial subtype, red cell distribution width (RDW) ≥20% and NLR ≥3 were associated with significantly shortened median survival times. Mortality rate was increased 2.77-, 1.67- and 1.52-fold in patients with RDW≥20%, NLR ≥3 and nonepithelial subtype, respectively. Nonepithelial subtype, white blood cell count ≥11 200 μl and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥300 at baseline were associated with a heightened NLR value. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.