Panje C et al. -In the current study it was shown that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an independent prognostic factor for patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OC) undergoing radiotherapy.

Methods
187 patients treated for locally advanced or inoperable OC with intensity-modulated radiotherapy were studied.
The tumor volume and NLR were determined before initiation of therapy.

Results
The 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) for low, intermediate, high, and very high tumor volume groups was 88%, 74%, 62%, and 25%, respectively.
An elevated NLR (>4.68) was associated with a decreased 3-year RFS (44% vs. 81%) and 3-year OS (56% vs. 84%).
The NLR was a significant prognostic factor for RFS and OS.
Tumor volume and NLR were independent prognostic factors.