Predictive significance of lymphocyte level and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio values during radiotherapy in cervical cancer treatment

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to analyze the prognostic significance of the minimum count of lymphocytes (LY) and the corresponding ratio of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) in cervical cancer (CC) patients receiving radiotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 202 CC patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone at our hospital. Statistical methods including the Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were included to examine survival differences and identify independent factors that may affect overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: The research enrolled a total of 202 patients. Patients with higher LY levels and lower NLR values during radiotherapy had significantly better survival prognosis than those with lower LY levels and higher NLR values. Multivariate COX regression analysis revealed that FIGO stage I, pathological types of SqCC, absence of lymph node metastasis, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, higher LY levels during radiotherapy, and lower NLR values before radiotherapy were independently associated with poorer PFS. Similarly, FIGO stage I, absence of lymph node metastasis and lower NLR values during and before radiotherapy were independently linked with poorer OS. Conclusion: Minimum LY value and its corresponding NLR during radiotherapy serve as prognostic factors for CC.