Objective To explore the prognostic value of pretreatment hematological indicators in children and adolescents with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods We performed a retrospective analysis on the medical records of 79 children and adolescents (≤20 years old) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Before treatment, all patients underwent hematological tests, and patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy alone or intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy, targeted, and other comprehensive treatment modes. The follow-up endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results Age≤14 years, no concurrent chemotherapy, pretreatment hematological indicators (high NLR, high PLR, high LDH, and high LAR) were associated with poor OS and PFS in children and adolescents with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (all P < 0.05). No concurrent chemotherapy and high LAR before treatment were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS in children and adolescents with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Conclusion High NLR, high PLR, high LDH, and high LAR of pretreatment hematological indicators are associated with poor OS and PFS. Meanwhile, high LAR before treatment is an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS in children and adolescents with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.