Exploring the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and blood chemistry in head and neck adenoid cystic carcinomas treated with carbon ion radiotherapy

•Recent literature reported NLR as a prognostic factor in various neoplasms treated with photon beam radiotherapy.•There is no report about the role of NLR in adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) treated with carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT)•ACC patients with higher pre-CIRT levels of NLR and hemoglobin > 14 g/dl had a predictable decrease in DFS.•hemoglobin > 14 g/dL was a negative independent prognostic predictor for MFS.