The lymphocyte-thrombocyte-CRP (LTC) score as a pre-therapeutic prognostic marker in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC)

Introduction Systemic inflammation, measured for example as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or systemic inflammatory index (SII), is associated with a negative influence on survival in patients with HNC. These indices require laboratory analyses and mathematical calculations. This study examines a simple three-point scoring system based on lymphocyte-, thrombocyte- and CRP levels has prognostic significance.