Prediction of lymph node metastasis by size of early gastric carcinoma
Otsuji, E.; Kuriu, Y.; Ichikawa, D.; Ochiai, T.; Okamoto, K.; Yamagishi, H.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 54(74): 602-605
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 17523331 Document Number: 610151
Background/Aims: Tumor size requires more investigation as a factor in determining extent of regional lymph node dissection in early gastric carcinoma. We retrospectively investigated 573 patients with such tumors to identify predictors of lymph node metastasis.Methodology: Postoperative survival was examined for groups of patients defined by tumor size under 2cm, between 2 and 4cm, and over than 4cm. Factors predicting tumor recurrence and regional lymph node metastasis also were determined.Results: Postoperative survival of patients with tumors larger than 4cm was significantly worse than that of patients with tumors smaller than 2cm. Multivariate analysis identified lymph node metastasis as a significant risk factor for recurrence of early gastric carcinoma, while identifying primary tumor size and lymphatic vessel involvement as significant risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Conclusions: Lymph node metastasis, which increased risk of postoperative recurrence in early gastric carcinoma, was related to tumor size.