Prognostic impact of the hemoglobin-albumin-lymphocyte-platelet score in patients with oral cavity cancer undergoing surgery

Head Neck. 2023 Jun;45(6):1558-1571. doi: 10.1002/hed.27372. Epub 2023 Apr 20.

Abstract

Background: We aimed to probe the hemoglobin-albumin-lymphocyte-platelet (HALP) score's prognostic value in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: Medical data of 350 patients with primary operated OSCC were retrospectively reviewed. We derived the optimal HALP cutoff by executing receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and patients were then grouped based on this cutoff value. Cox proportional hazards model were used to discover survival outcome-associated factors.

Results: We derived the optimal HALP cutoff as 35.4. A low HALP score (<35.4) predicted poorer overall and disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 2.29 and 1.92, respectively; both p < 0.001) and was significantly associated with OSCC aggressiveness. We established a HALP-based nomogram that accurately predicted overall survival (concordance index: 0.784).

Conclusion: The HALP score may be a useful prognostic biomarker in patients with OSCC undergoing surgery, and the HALP-based nomogram can be a promising prognostic tool in clinical setting.

Keywords: hemoglobin-albumin-lymphocyte-platelet (HALP) score; nomogra; oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma; prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albumins
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Mouth
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / pathology

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Hemoglobins