Prognostic value of NLR and PLR in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients: A cohort study from tertiary cancer center.

Authors

Vandana Mohta, Renuka Badanale, Shilpa Nellikkal

Published in

Journal of cancer research and therapeutics. Volume 22. Issue 5. Pages 826-831. Jul 01, 2026. Epub Oct 29, 2026.

Abstract

Oral cancer remains a major health burden in developing countries like India and across South-East Asia. There is a need for newer, cheaper, and reliable biomarkers to aid in early detection, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies.
A cohort study of 110 operated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients was conducted at a tertiary cancer center in India (January 2020-May 2021). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and clinicopathological features were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28.0. Associations with tumor characteristics were assessed via Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests. R curves and Youden's index identified optimal NLR/PLR cutoffs. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and compared with the log-rank test ( P < 0.05 considered significant).
Among 110 patients (87 men, 23 women; age 22-72), buccal mucosa was the most common tumor site (42.7%), with most in stage IV. Mean follow-up was 15.5 months. NLR showed good prognostic value (AUC (area under the curve): 0.733; cutoff: 3.04), and PLR showed fair value (AUC: 0.640; cutoff: 131.28). Both were significantly higher in females ( P = 0.005, 0.021). Higher NLR was linked to recurrence ( P = 0.03), and PLR was associated with higher TNM stage ( P = 0.040) and bone involvement ( P = 0.034). Low NLR and PLR correlated with better DFS ( P = 0.000, 0.012); low NLR also showed a trend toward better OS ( P = 0.059).
NLR and PLR are cost-effective, accessible prognostic biomarkers in OSCC and are significantly associated with recurrence, advanced disease, and survival outcomes.

PMID:
42955962
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Oct 2026.

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