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Associations between early changes in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio after radical nephroureterectomy and treatment outcomes

Shun Saito, Hidetsugu Takahashi, Yuji Yata, Shigeyoshi Takamizawa, Shuhei Hara, Keiichiro Miyajima, K. Iwatani, K. Yasue et al.

Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2024

488 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the impacts of peri-operative changes in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the survival rate after radical nephroureterectomy.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included a multicentric cohort of patients diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy from 2012 to 2021. We assessed the preoperative NLR, postoperative NLR, delta-NLR (difference between postoperative and preoperative NLRs), and NLR change (ratio of postoperative to preoperative NLR). Additionally, patients were categorized according to increases in their preoperative and/or postoperative NLRs. Associations of survival with peri-operative changes in the NLR were investigated using Cox multivariate regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 488 patients were included in the study, with a median age of 73 years. Among the patients, 105 (21.5%) exhibited elevated preoperative and postoperative NLRs, 88 (18.0%) exhibited elevated preoperative NLR only, 53 (10.9%) exhibited elevated postoperative NLR only, and 242 (49.6%) exhibited normal NLRs. Multivariate analysis indicated significant negative correlations between both preoperative and postoperative increased NLRs and oncological outcomes, including nonurothelial tract recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.65, P = 0.017; HR: 2.12, P = 0.014, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to evaluate the association between…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 488 participants or records.

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