Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Prognostic biomarkers are the area of high interest in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Inflammatory blood markers can be routinely determined from complete blood counts which are inexpensive and reliable. The aim of the study was to determine prognostic parameters which, in early diagnostics, best determine survival of patients, operated on due to NSCLC. MATERIALS: The study was conducted on 532 (174 females and 358 males) patients, operated on due to NSCLC, in stages IA - III, aged 36-84 years (the mean age: 63.6 years). The following parameters were subjected to a statistical analysis, conducted in order to determine prognostic values of the number of leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, haemoglobin, RDW-CV and MCV, calculated values of PLR, NLR, and LMR ratios, age, sex, smoking, histopathological diagnosis, T stage, N stage, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), type of surgery, and potential complications. RESULTS: The univariate analysis revealed an impact of NLR, PLR, and LMR values, RDW-CW and CCI ranges, and also the number of monocytes on patients' overall survival (OS). The multivariate analysis identified six independent negative prognostic factors: male sex (0.001), CCI > 4 (p=0.000007), RDW-CV > 14.5% and PLR > 144 (p=0.000001, p= 0.001, respectively), the number of metastatic N2 lymphatic nodes (p=0.0003), and existence of post-operative complications (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Patients' sex, RDW and PLR values, Charlson index, the number of involved N2 nodes by cancer and postoperative complications are independent and significant prognostic factors in patients operated on due to NSCLC.