Prognostic Role of Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Pediatric Soft
Tissue Sarcoma: A Multicenter Study of 213 Patients.
Abstract
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DD MMMM YYYY
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BackgroundThe prognostic role of systemic inflammation markers in
pediatric soft tissue sarcomas (STS) remains unclear. ProcedureThis
multicenter study investigated the prognostic significance of
neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio
(PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation
index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), C-reactive
protein (CRP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 213 pediatric patients
diagnosed with STS in years 2002-2023. Patients were categorized into
groups: rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS, n=126), RMS-like (n=57), and non-RMS
(n=30). Clinicopathological data, including complete blood counts
(CBCs), CRP, and LDH levels, were collected and age-adjusted. Optimal
cutoffs for predicting outcomes were determined, and the prognostic
value of the inflammatory markers was assessed using Kaplan-Meier
survival analysis, log-rank tests, and Cox regression models. ResultsNo
significant differences in NLR, PLR, LMR, and CRP levels were observed
between RMS, RMS-like, and non-RMS groups. However, LDH levels were
significantly elevated in the RMS group compared to the RMS-like group.
A consistent trend toward higher NLR, PLR, and CRP values was noted in
patients with more advanced disease stages. Multivariate Cox regression
analysis across the entire cohort identified CRP (HR 3.39, 95% CI
1.55-7.4, p=0.002), NLR (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.07-3.99, p=0.03), and
disease stage (HR=0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.95, p=0.035) as independent
prognostic factors for survival. Subgroup analyses revealed that the
prognostic impact of these markers varied across histopathological
subtypes, with limited utility in the RMS-like group. Conclusions These
findings highlight the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory markers
in pediatric STS, emphasizing their potential to refine risk assessment
and guide treatment.