Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 8/2011

01-08-2011 | Original Article

Effect of preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio on the surgical outcomes of stage II colon cancer patients who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy

Authors: Hsin-Yuan Hung, Jinn-Shiun Chen, Chien Yuh Yeh, Chung-Rong Changchien, Reiping Tang, Pao-Shiu Hsieh, Wen-Sy Tasi, Jeng-Fu You, Yau-Tong You, Chung-Wei Fan, Jeng-Yi Wang, Jy-Ming Chiang

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 8/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Background and aims

Selection of appropriate stage II colon cancer patients for adjuvant chemotherapy is critical for improving survival outcome. With the aim of identifying more high risk factors for stage II colon cancer, this study aimed to determine whether the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a predictor of surgical outcomes in patients with stage II colon cancer who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy.

Materials and methods

We enrolled 1,040 stage II colon cancer patients who had undergone colectomy at a single institution between January 1995 and December 2005 and did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

Of these 1,040 patients, 785 (75.5%) patients had a normal NLR and 255 (24.5%) had an elevated NLR. Those with an elevated NLR included patients ≥65 years, T4b cancer, carcinoembryonic antigen ≥5 ng/mL, and tumor obstruction or perforation. Patients with an elevated NLR had a significantly worse overall survival (OS) and worse disease-free survival (DFS) than did patients with a normal NLR. Cox regression analysis revealed that elevated NLR was an independent predictor of OS (P=0.012) but not DFS (P=0.255).

Conclusion

An elevated NLR is an independent predictor of OS but not DFS in stage II colon cancer patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Preoperative NLR measurement in stage II colon cancer patients may be a simple method for identifying patients with a poor prognosis who can be enrolled in further trials of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Macdonald JS et al (1990) Levamisole and fluorouracil as adjuvant therapy of resected colon carcinoma. N Engl J Med 322:352–358PubMedCrossRef Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Macdonald JS et al (1990) Levamisole and fluorouracil as adjuvant therapy of resected colon carcinoma. N Engl J Med 322:352–358PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference QUASAR Collaborative Group, Gray R, Barnwell J, McConkey C et al (2007) Adjuvant chemotherapy vs observation in patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized study. Lancet 270:2020–2029 QUASAR Collaborative Group, Gray R, Barnwell J, McConkey C et al (2007) Adjuvant chemotherapy vs observation in patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized study. Lancet 270:2020–2029
3.
go back to reference Benson AB, Schrag D, Somerfi MR et al (2004) American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations on adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer. J Clin Oncol 22:3408–3419PubMedCrossRef Benson AB, Schrag D, Somerfi MR et al (2004) American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations on adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer. J Clin Oncol 22:3408–3419PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference IMPACT B2 (1999) Efficacy of adjuvant fluorouracil and folinic acid in B2 colon cancer. International multicenter pooled analysis of B2 colon cancer trials investigators. J Clin Oncol 17:1356–1363 IMPACT B2 (1999) Efficacy of adjuvant fluorouracil and folinic acid in B2 colon cancer. International multicenter pooled analysis of B2 colon cancer trials investigators. J Clin Oncol 17:1356–1363
5.
go back to reference Marsoni S, International Multicenter Pooled Analysis of Colon Cancer Trials Investigators (2001) Efficacy of adjuvant fluorouracil and leucovorin in stage B2 and C colon cancer. Semin Oncol 28:14–19PubMedCrossRef Marsoni S, International Multicenter Pooled Analysis of Colon Cancer Trials Investigators (2001) Efficacy of adjuvant fluorouracil and leucovorin in stage B2 and C colon cancer. Semin Oncol 28:14–19PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Zaniboni A, Labianca R, Gruppo I et al (2004) Adjuvant therapy for stage II colon cancer: an elephant in the living room? Ann Oncol 15:1310–1318PubMedCrossRef Zaniboni A, Labianca R, Gruppo I et al (2004) Adjuvant therapy for stage II colon cancer: an elephant in the living room? Ann Oncol 15:1310–1318PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Jemal A, Tiwari RC, Murray T et al (2004) American Cancer Society. Cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin 54:8–29PubMedCrossRef Jemal A, Tiwari RC, Murray T et al (2004) American Cancer Society. Cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin 54:8–29PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Version 2.2010, National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Practice Guidelines in Oncology-Colon Cancer. Principles of risk assessment for stage II disease. Col-D Version 2.2010, National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Practice Guidelines in Oncology-Colon Cancer. Principles of risk assessment for stage II disease. Col-D
9.
go back to reference Poplin EA, Benedetti JK, Estes NC et al (2005) Phase III Southwest Oncology Group 9415/Intergroup 0153 randomized trial of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and levamisole versus fluorouracil continuous infusion and levamisole for adjuvant treatment of stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer. J Clin Oncol 23(9):1819–1825PubMedCrossRef Poplin EA, Benedetti JK, Estes NC et al (2005) Phase III Southwest Oncology Group 9415/Intergroup 0153 randomized trial of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and levamisole versus fluorouracil continuous infusion and levamisole for adjuvant treatment of stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer. J Clin Oncol 23(9):1819–1825PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Ueno H, Hawrylowicz CM, Banchereau J (2007) Immunological intervention in human diseases. J Transl Med 5:59PubMedCrossRef Ueno H, Hawrylowicz CM, Banchereau J (2007) Immunological intervention in human diseases. J Transl Med 5:59PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Zahorec R (2001) Ratio of neutrophil to lymphocyte counts—rapid and simple parameter of systemic inflammation and stress in critically ill. Bratisl Lek Listy 102(1):5–14PubMed Zahorec R (2001) Ratio of neutrophil to lymphocyte counts—rapid and simple parameter of systemic inflammation and stress in critically ill. Bratisl Lek Listy 102(1):5–14PubMed
12.
go back to reference Nada K, Vesna M, Ivana K et al (2008) White blood cell count and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in uncomplicated and complicated canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis. Veterinarski Archiv 78(4):321–330 Nada K, Vesna M, Ivana K et al (2008) White blood cell count and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in uncomplicated and complicated canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis. Veterinarski Archiv 78(4):321–330
13.
go back to reference Walsh SR, Cook EJ, Goulder F et al (2005) Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. J Surg Oncol 91:181–184PubMedCrossRef Walsh SR, Cook EJ, Goulder F et al (2005) Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. J Surg Oncol 91:181–184PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Halazun KJ, Aldoori A, Malik HZ et al (2008) Elevated preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts survival following hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases. Eur J Surg Oncol 34:55–60PubMed Halazun KJ, Aldoori A, Malik HZ et al (2008) Elevated preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts survival following hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases. Eur J Surg Oncol 34:55–60PubMed
15.
go back to reference Halzaun KJ, Hardy MA, Rana AA et al (2009) Negative impact of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio on outcome after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Surg 250(1):141–151CrossRef Halzaun KJ, Hardy MA, Rana AA et al (2009) Negative impact of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio on outcome after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Surg 250(1):141–151CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Kao SC, Pavlakis N, Harvie R et al (2010) High blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an indicator of poor prognosis in malignant mesothelioma patients undergoing systemic therapy. Clin Cancer Res 16(23):5805–5813PubMedCrossRef Kao SC, Pavlakis N, Harvie R et al (2010) High blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an indicator of poor prognosis in malignant mesothelioma patients undergoing systemic therapy. Clin Cancer Res 16(23):5805–5813PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Printz C (2010) New AJCC Cancer Staging Manual reflects changes in cancer knowledge. Cancer 116:2–3PubMedCrossRef Printz C (2010) New AJCC Cancer Staging Manual reflects changes in cancer knowledge. Cancer 116:2–3PubMedCrossRef
18.
20.
go back to reference Cho HB, Hur HW, Kim SW et al (2009) Pre-treatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is elevated in epithelial ovarian cancer and predicts survival after treatment. Cancer Immunol Immunother 58:15–23PubMedCrossRef Cho HB, Hur HW, Kim SW et al (2009) Pre-treatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is elevated in epithelial ovarian cancer and predicts survival after treatment. Cancer Immunol Immunother 58:15–23PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Fondevila C, Metges JP, Fuster J (2004) p53 and VEGF expression are independent predictors of tumour recurrence and survival following curative resection of gastric cancer. Br J Cancer 90(1):206–215PubMedCrossRef Fondevila C, Metges JP, Fuster J (2004) p53 and VEGF expression are independent predictors of tumour recurrence and survival following curative resection of gastric cancer. Br J Cancer 90(1):206–215PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Gunter MJ, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, Cross AJ et al (2006) A prospective study of serum C-reactive protein and colorectal cancer risk in men. Cancer Res 66:2483–2487PubMedCrossRef Gunter MJ, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, Cross AJ et al (2006) A prospective study of serum C-reactive protein and colorectal cancer risk in men. Cancer Res 66:2483–2487PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Wong VK, Malik HZ, Hamady ZZ (2007) C-reactive protein as a predictor of prognosis following curative resection for colorectal liver metastases. Br J Cancer 29:222–225CrossRef Wong VK, Malik HZ, Hamady ZZ (2007) C-reactive protein as a predictor of prognosis following curative resection for colorectal liver metastases. Br J Cancer 29:222–225CrossRef
24.
go back to reference McMillan DC, Canna K, McArdle CS (2003) Systemic inflammatory response predicts survival following curative resection of colorectal cancer. Br J Surg 90:215–219PubMedCrossRef McMillan DC, Canna K, McArdle CS (2003) Systemic inflammatory response predicts survival following curative resection of colorectal cancer. Br J Surg 90:215–219PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Wolmark N, Fisher B, Wieand HS (1984) The prognostic significance of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels in colorectal cancer. Results from NSABP clinical trials. Ann Surg 199:375–382PubMedCrossRef Wolmark N, Fisher B, Wieand HS (1984) The prognostic significance of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels in colorectal cancer. Results from NSABP clinical trials. Ann Surg 199:375–382PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Effect of preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio on the surgical outcomes of stage II colon cancer patients who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors
Hsin-Yuan Hung
Jinn-Shiun Chen
Chien Yuh Yeh
Chung-Rong Changchien
Reiping Tang
Pao-Shiu Hsieh
Wen-Sy Tasi
Jeng-Fu You
Yau-Tong You
Chung-Wei Fan
Jeng-Yi Wang
Jy-Ming Chiang
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 8/2011
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-011-1192-x

Other articles of this Issue 8/2011

International Journal of Colorectal Disease 8/2011 Go to the issue