Relevance of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Salivary Gland Cancers Management

Objectives: Preoperative diagnostic investigation of salivary neoplasms leaves a fair share of doubtful cases that complicate the therapeutic choices. The aim of our study was to look for new means to support the decision-making process for their management. Inflammatory biomarkers could play an important role in this process. Methods: A retrospective chart review of salivary glands tumors was performed between January 2016 and September 2020 in our Department. The samples were divided in 2 groups basing on the histological result after surgery: 191 patients with benign salivary glands tumors (SGbt), and 47 with salivary glands cancer (SGc). 90 patients were randomly selected to form the control group (C group). Results: Statistically significant increase of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocite ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) was reported in SGc group compared to SGbt group and control group (p<0.001). Statistical evaluation estabilished optimal threshold for PLR (164,2), NLR (3,11) and SII (517.5) that can discriminate the doubtful cases with specificity of 85-86% and 62% respectively, and sensitivity of 40-45% and 64% respectively. Conclusion: Inflammatory biomarkers can have a relevant role as diagnostic tools in doubtful cases. They could be performed in the clinical setting for guiding the treatment of these neoplasms.