A combination of routine laboratory findings and vital signs can predict survival of advanced cancer patients without physician evaluation: a fractional polynomial model.

•We developed a prognostic index that required only laboratory data and vital signs.•Survival of advanced cancer patients can be predicted without a physician's assessments.•Our prognostic index was more accurate than existing predictive tools.•Our prognostic index could minimize attrition rates of clinical trials.•Fractional polynomials model is a promising way to develop prognostic indexes.