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.

Conclusions: The NLR and RDW were significant predictive factors for MM prognosis.

Keywords: Malignant mesothelioma; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; prognosis; red cell distribution width.