Correlation between Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Extramural Vascular Invasion (EMVI) in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Abstract

Rectal cancer constitutes around one-third of all colorectal cancers. New markers are required to optimize the treatment. Extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based negative prognostic marker. Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are blood-based systemic inflammatory response markers with proven prognostic value in many cancers, including CRC. We hypothesized whether there is a relationship between LMR, NLR, PLR and the presence of EMVI on pre-treatment MRI in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 371 patients with LARC treated in the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland between August 2016 and December 2021. One hundred eighty-four patients were found eligible for the study. A correlation between the extension of the tumour, nodal status, clinical stage of the disease and the presence of EMVI was found (p p = 0.041, p = 0.01, p = 0.027, respectively). There were no significant differences regarding the level of LMR, NLR and PLR between the EMVI-positive and EMVI-negative population. LMR, NLR and PLR do not differentiate patients in terms of EMVI; neither of these parameters is a good predictor of the status of EMVI in LARC.

Keywords

• lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR)
• neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)
• platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)
• extramural vascular invasion (EMVI)
• rectal cancer