Prognostic Factors in Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Is Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio a Useful Marker?

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze the role of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and its variation pre and post-operatively (delta NLR) in overall survival after pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma at a single centre and to identify factors associated with overall survival.Methods: A retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic resection due to PDAC or undifferentiated carcinoma from January 2010 to January 2020 was performed. Association between evaluated factors and overall survival were analyzed using a log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard regression model.Results: Overall, 242 patients underwent complete pancreatic resection for PDAC or undifferentiated carcinoma. OS was 22.8 months (95% CI: 19.5-29) and survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 72%, 32.5% and 20.8% respectively. NLR and delta NLR were not significantly associated with survival (HR=1.14, 95%CI: 0.77-1.68, p=0.5). Lymph node ratio was significantly associated (HR=1.66, 95%CI: 1.21-2.26, p=0.001) in the bivariate analysis. In multivariable analysis the only factors that were significantly associated with survival were perineural invasion (HR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.21-3.14, p=0.006), surgical margin (HR=1.83, 95%CI: 1.10-3.02, p=0.019), tumor size (HR=1.01, 95%CI: 1.003-1.027, p=0.16), postoperative CA 19-9 level (HR=1.001, pConclusion: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and delta NLR were not associated with overall survival in this cohort. Risk factors such as perineural invasion, surgical margins, CA19-9 level and tumor size showed worse survival in this study, whereas completing adjuvant treatment was a protective factor.