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The following is a summary of “Relationship between NLR and penile squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” published in the September 2024 issue of Urology by Babadi et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to summarize the role of NLR (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio) in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC). 

They performed the meta-analysis following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. It was conducted up to March 10, 2023, yielding 14 studies for inclusion in the review. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the NOS (Newcastle–Ottawa Scale), and they examined the relationship between NLR and survival, reporting HR and 95% CI. 

The results showed a significant correlation between NLR levels and prognosis, nodal stage, and anatomical tumor stage in patients with PSCC. In the meta-analysis, NLR levels were notably associated with reduced cancer-specific survival (HR = 3.51, 95% CI = 2.07–5.98, P<0.001) and diminished disease-free survival (HR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.60–5.20, P<0.001). However, NLR did not correlate with tumor stage, grade, location, or size. 

Investigators concluded that NLR demonstrated significant diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with PSCC.  

Source: bmcurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12894-024-01569-7