The value of inflammatory parameters in the prognosis of malignant mesothelioma

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between potential prognostic parameters that may be associated with increased inflammation and survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM). 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. 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. The NLR and RDW were significant predictive factors for MM prognosis.