Identification of prognostic factors for survival in patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma in a Mexican population

Introduction and aims

Gastric adenocarcinoma is among the high-ranking tumors, with respect to frequency and mortality, worldwide. The inflammatory process and immune system activity are associated with oncologic control. Our aim was to identify whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and other variables are prognostic factors for survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer in a Mexican population.

Material and methods

Patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, hospitalized within the time frame of December 2011 to 2021, were analyzed. The NLR, PLR, and albumin and hemoglobin levels obtained from blood samples were calculated. Functional status (ECOG and Karnofsky), sex, histology, and the presence of signet ring cells were also considered possible prognostic factors. Each factor’s prognostic value for overall survival was determined through univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The study included 956 patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer, of whom 494 (51.7%) were men and 462 (48.3%) were women. The main histologic finding was diffuse adenocarcinoma (n = 619, 64.7%), followed by intestinal adenocarcinoma (n = 293, 30.6%), and the presence of signet ring cells was found in 659 (68.9%) patients. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed on 238 patients (24.9%) to confirm peritoneal carcinomatosis. The multivariate analysis showed that an NLR above 3.2 (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.27–1.8; p < 0.001), albumin below 3.5 g/dl (HR 1.25, CI 1.06–1.47; p = 0.006), and an ECOG performance status of 2 or higher (HR 1.39, CI 1.10–1.76; p = 0.005) were independent factors that predicted a lower survival rate, whereas a Karnofsky score above 70% (HR 0.69, CI 0.53–0.91; p = 0.008) was associated with a better survival rate. Lastly, the PLR was not statistically significant in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The NLR, nutritional status assessed through albumin measurement, and functional status can act as independent prognostic survival factors in hospitalized Mexican patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and be taken into account during therapeutic decision-making.