Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has a prognostic value in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer receiving systemic therapy. However, the prognostic significance of NLR was never previously evaluated in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer. In the present study, we investigated the influence of NLR on survival after a RP for prostate cancer.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 2301 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RP at our institution between 2000 and 2010. Among these patients, we considered only patients who had a preoperative complete blood count with differential result available. Patients who received neoadjuvant or postoperative adjuvant treatment (radiation, androgen deprivation therapy or both) and those without adequate medical record were excluded. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to analyze biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS), overall survival (OS) and prostate cancer-specific survival (CSS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used for each end point.
Results: In total, 2067 patients were evaluated; median follow-up time was 78 months (interquartile range (IQR) 65-96), median age at RP was 66 years (IQR 61-70) and median preoperative NLR was 1.76 (IQR 1.35-2.40). A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant association between high NLR (⩾1.76) and decreased CSS (P=0.005) and OS (P=0.003) but not with BCRFS (P=0.223). In the univariate and multivariate regression analyses, a high NLR was a significant predictor of CSS (hazard ratio (HR) 2.012, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.222-3.310, P=0.006) and OS (HR 1.650, 95% CI 1.127-2.416, P=0.010).
Conclusions: This study shows that in patients with prostate cancer preoperative NLR is an independent prognostic factor for OS and CSS after a RP and suggests that a preoperative hematologic workup should be considered in the risk assessment of these patients.