Baseline Serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in acral melanoma compared with nonacral melanoma and its prognostic significance.

Background: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), a cutaneous melanoma subtype, exhibits a poorer prognosis than nonacral cutaneous melanoma (NACM). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is emerging as a prognostic indicator across diverse cancers.

Objective: We explored the baseline NLR disparities between ALM and NACM, and the NLR's prognostic significance in patients with ALM.

Methods: We reviewed records of patients with ALM and NACM diagnosed between 1997 and 2022, analyzing medical data.

Results: Among 327 and 159 patients with ALM and NACM, respectively, baseline NLR varied based on distinct clinicopathologic factors between ALM and NACM. In stage 3 to 4 melanomas, the median NLR for ALM (2.18; IQR, 1.70-3.08) significantly surpassed NACM (1.74; IQR, 1.33-2.53) (P = .029). In patients with ALM, high NLR (hazard ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.02-2.66; P = .043) was independently correlated with poor progression-free survival when adjusting for ulceration, Breslow thickness of ≥2 mm, and nodal invasion.

Limitations: Single-center, retrospective design.

Conclusion: Advanced-stage ALM exhibited a significantly higher baseline NLR compared with that of NACM. Evaluating baseline NLR could provide valuable prognostic insights for patients with ALM.