Modified combination of platelet count and neutrophil “to” lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor in patients with advanced head and neck cancer

Background We evaluated the prognostic potential of the combination of platelet count and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (COP‐NLR) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. Methods We proposed a modified COP‐NLR scoring system defined as follows: score 0 (platelet count level <300 × 10 9 /L and NLR <3); score 1 (platelet count level ≥300 × 10 9 /L and NLR <3); and score 2 (NLR ≥3). We assessed whether the modified scoring system had better performance as an indicator of prognosis than the existing COP‐NLR scoring system (original and 4‐group scores). Results A total of 248 patients were enrolled. The Akaike Information Criterion value with the modified COP‐NLR score was the smallest among the 3 models. The 3‐year survival rates according to the modified COP‐NLR scores of 0, 1, and 2 were 80.6%, 59.9%, and 23.8%, respectively. Conclusion The modified COP‐NLR score is a useful prognostic marker in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.