Relationship between NLR and penile squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We conducted this study to summarize the results of studies reporting the role of NLR (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio) in PSCC (penile squamous cell carcinoma).

This meta-analysis was conducted using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and web of science up to March 10, 2023. Fourteen studies were included in the review. The NOS (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) was used to determine the quality of the included studies. This meta-analysis was conducted on the studies reporting the relationship between NLR and survival using HR (hazard ratio) and 95% CI (confidence interval).

There was a significant association between NLR levels and the prognosis, nodal stage, and anatomical tumor stage of PSCC patients. In the meta-analysis of the association of NLR with survival, NLR level was significantly associated with lower cancer-specific survival (HR = 3.51, 95% CI = 2.07-5.98, p < 0.001) and lower disease-free survival (HR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.60-5.20, p < 0.001). However, NLR was found to have no association with the stage, grade, location, and size of the tumor.

NLR has a significant diagnostic and prognostic value in PSCC.