Prognostic value of pretreatment lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio in patients with advanced oral cavity cancer

INTRODUCTION: Lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR) has been reported as a prognostic factor in many cancers but the data are to date limited for its use in oral cavity cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of LMR in advanced‐stage oral cavity cancer. METHODS: Data from 211 advanced‐stage oral cancer patients treated with curative intent between January 2009 and December 2015 were obtained from the hospital information system. Pretreatment LMR and other hematologic parameters were recorded and an LMR cutoff value was calculated. Overall survival between the groups above (high LMR) and below (low LMR) the cutoff was compared and hazard ratios from univariate and multivariate analyses using a Cox proportional hazards model calculated. RESULTS: Overall survival and disease‐specific survival were better in the high LMR group. The 5‐year overall survival rates were 31.6% and 15% in the high LMR and low LMR groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model showed that treatment modality and LMR were the only factors associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: Low LMR was associated with poor survival outcome in patients with advanced‐stage oral cavity cancer. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.