A new prognostic marker in small cell lung cancer: red cell distribution width ratio of hemoglobin

Abstract

Aim: The ratio of hemoglobin (Hb) to red cell distribution width (RDW) (HRR) has been defined as an effective prognostic factor in various cancer types. The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic role of HRR value in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Material and Method: A total of 1039 patients diagnosed with SCLC between 2010-2021 were included in the study. After exclusion of 199 patients without positron emission tomography-computerized tomography (PET-CT), age, gender, additional disease histories, smoking history, pathological stages, survival status, disease progression times, treatments applied, first hemoglobin obtained after diagnosis, red cell distribution width and ratios, and other laboratory parameters of 840 patients were recorded. The log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify predictors of mortality. Results: A total of 840 patients were included in the study. The median overall survival (OS) and the progression-free survival (PS) times of the patients were 9 months, and 7 months, respectively. The cut-off value for HRR was determined 0.580 (sensitivity 78.73%, specificity 37.88%). In this study, each one-unit increase in HRR reduces death and survival by 1.6 times detected, and it was revealed that HRR had a statistically significant effect on OS and PS. When the patients were divided into two as limited and extensive disease, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of OS (12-6 months) and PS (10-6 months), but no significant difference was found in terms of HRR between these two groups. Conclusion: HRR is an easily accessible, inexpensive parameter that can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with SCLC.