The objective of this study was to clarify whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are significant prognostic markers in patients with resectable colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 200 patients who underwent curative resection for CRC were enrolled. The NLR and PLR were positively correlated (p < 0.001). Both the NLR and PLR were shown to be good prognostic biomarkers of overall survival (OS) (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). The PLR was an independent prognostic factor of OS based on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.971; 95% confidence interval, 1.102-3.335; p=0.021).

Ratio-based LN staging, which reflects the number of LNs examined and the quality of LN dissection, is a potent modality for prognostic stratification in patients with LN-positive colon cancer.

The intensity of tumor budding at the invasive margin is suggested to be a significant pathologic index, indicating higher malignancy potential and the intensity greater than nine may be considered an adverse prognostic indicator in patients with colon carcinoma.

Quantitative assessment of tumor budding is a reliable biological prognostic variable to identify higher malignancy potential. Scoring system using tumor budding and N stage showed better prognostic stratification in stage-III rectal carcinoma. A prospective evaluation would confirm the clinical significance of tumor budding for prognostic stratification.

Immunohistochemical study of ERCC1 and TS may be useful for the prediction of clinical outcome in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with 5-FU and oxaliplatin.