A novel blood tool of cancer prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: the Fibrinogen/Albumin Ratio

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Coagulation and nutrition play important roles in cancer progression. We aim to investigate the impact of the fibrinogen/albumin ratio(FAR) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. <b>Methods:</b> We retrospectively analyzed 1135 patients with radical esophagectomy for ESCC from January 2008 to December 2010 in our center. X-tile software was used to determine the optimal cutoff levels for these biomarkers. <b>Results:</b> The optimal cutoff value was 0.08 for the FAR by the X-tile software. The FAR was statistically significantly associated with age(<i>p=</i>0.003), sex(<i>p=</i>0.030), tumor length (<i>p</i>=0.043), pT status(<i>p</i><0.001) and pN status(<i>p</i><0.001). Pearson's correlation indicated that the FAR were positively associated with the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) ( <i>r</i>=0.583, <i>p</i><0.001), and the NLR ( <i>r</i>=0.316, <i>p</i><0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that age, tumor grade, pT status, pN status and preoperative FAR were independent prognostic factors in patients with ESCC. <b>Conclusions:</b> Preoperative FAR was an independent prognostic factor in ESCC patients. Lower FAR may improve OS of ESCC patients.