title: A Nomogram to Predict Prognostic Value of Red Cell Distribution Width in Patients with Esophageal Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prognostic value of inflammatory index in esophageal cancer (EC) was not established. In the present study, we initially used a nomogram to predict prognostic value of red cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 277 ESCC patients were included in this retrospective study. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cancer-specific survival (CSS). A nomogram was established to predict the prognosis for CSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean value of RDW was 14.5 ± 2.3%. The patients were then divided into two groups: RDW ≥ 14.5% and RDW < 14.5%. Patients with RDW < 14.5% had a significantly better 5-year CSS than patients with RDW ≥ 14.5% (43.9% versus 23.3%, P < 0.001). RDW was an independent prognostic factor in patients with ESCC (P = 0.036). A nomogram could be more accurate for CSS. Harrell's c-index for CSS prediction was 0.68.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RDW was a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with ESCC. The nomogram based on CSS could be used as an accurately prognostic prediction for patients with ESCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncological Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.
authors.forename: Gui-Ping
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D000077277:Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049451:Nomograms; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies