Utility of palliative prognostic index and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting prognosis of end-stage squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the prognosis of end-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to develop a more useful prognostic index.Patients and methods: This retrospective observational study included 79 patients with end-stage HNSCC. Patients were grouped by patient factors and prognostic indicators, and overall survival from the start of Best Supportive Care was compared for each group. In addition, overall survival was compared between patients with palliative prognostic index (PPI) >= 6 and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >= 10 and patients with PPI <6 or NLR <10.Results: PPI >= 6 and NLR >= 10 were associated with significantly more frequent poor prognoses (p = 0.01 and p = 0.002, respectively). The median survival was 32 days in cases with PPI >= 6 and NLR >= 10, and 64 days for PPI <6 or NLR <10 (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The combination of PPI and NLR is a useful indicator for predicting the prognosis of patients with end-stage HNSCC.