Carcinomatous Lymphatic Invasion in Early Gastric Cancer Invading Into the Submucosa

Background: Lymphatic invasion is a risk factor for lymph node metastases in patients with gastric cancer. No studies have been reported, however, on the correlation between lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer invading into the submucosa.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of lymphatic invasion in 170 patients with early gastric cancer invading into the submucosa.Results: Lymphatic invasion was found in 76 patients. Lymphatic invasion correlated significantly with the presence of lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion (P < .05) and with the degree of cancerous submucosal involvement (P < .05). The presence of lymph node metastasis also correlated with the grade of submucosal invasion and lymphatic invasion. The 5-year survival of patients with lymphatic invasion was poorer than that of patients without lymphatic invasion (P < .05). Node-negative patients had similar survival, regardless of the presence of lymphatic invasion. All patients with severe lymphatic invasion had sm3 invasion and lymph node metastases.Conclusion: Although lymphatic invasion is the first stage of lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion in itself does not have clinical importance except for severe invasion in early gastric cancer. It is possible to predict lymph node metastases from the combined evaluation of degree of lymphatic invasion and submucosal involvement of the tumor in patients with early gastric cancer invading into the submucosa.     

早期胃癌血管内皮生长因子的表达及其与淋巴结转移的关系

目的检测血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)家族在早期胃癌中的表达及探讨其与早期胃癌血管增生及淋巴结转移的关系。方法用免疫组织化学方法检测97例早期胃癌VEGF家族的表达及肿瘤血管计数,并将其家族表达与肿瘤部位、组织学类型、组织浸润及淋巴结转移等进行相关分析。结果VEGF家族的表达与肿瘤部位及组织学类型无关(P>0.05)。VEGF-A和C的表达与胃壁静脉浸润、淋巴管浸润及淋巴结转移有关(P<0.05)。在浸润阳性或淋巴结转移阳性肿瘤中,VEGF-A和C表达阳性率较高(P<0.05)。VEGF-C表达阳性肿瘤多位于黏膜下(P<0.05)。VEGF-A、B、C与微血管计数有关,阳性表达肿瘤内血管计数明显增多(P<0.05)。多变量分析显示,VEGF-C表达是影响早期胃癌淋巴结转移的独立因素。结论术前对肿瘤组织进行VEGF-C的检测有助早期胃癌术式的选择及术后辅助治疗。     

Predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion: analysis of a single institutional experience

OBJECTIVE: An accurate assessment of a potential lymph node metastasis is an important issue for the appropriate treatment of early gastric cancer. Minimizing the amount of invasive procedures used in cancer treatment is critical for improving the patient's quality of life. Therefore, this study analyzed the predictive risk factors for a lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with a submucosal invasion. METHODS: The data from 1043 patients surgically treated for early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion between 2002 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 3 layers according to their depth: SM1, SM2, and SM3. The clinicopathological variables predicting a lymph node metastasis were evaluated. RESULTS: A lymph node metastasis was observed in 19.4% of patients. The tumor size, histologic type, Lauren classification, tumor depth, and perineural invasion showed a positive correlation with the rate of lymph node metastasis and N category by univariate analysis. Multivariate analyses revealed the tumor size (>or=2 cm) and lymphatic involvement to be significantly and independently related to lymph node metastasis. The presence of lymphatic involvement was the strongest predictive factor for a lymph node metastasis, being observed in 43.8% of cases in which a lymph node metastasis had been revealed. No lymph node metastasis was observed in the 12 cases with no lymphatic involvement, SM1 invasion, and tumor size <1 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic involvement and tumor size are independent risk factors for a lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion. Minimal invasive treatment, such as endoscopic mucosal resection, may be possible in highly selective submucosal cancers with no lymphatic involvement, SM1 invasion, and tumor size <1 cm.     

Identification of Calreticulin as a Prognosis Marker and Angiogenic Regulator in Human Gastric Cancer

The purpose of this study was to identify genes of interest for a subsequent functional and clinical cohort study using complementary (c)DNA microarrays. cDNA microarray hybridization was performed to identify differentially expressed genes between tumor and nontumor specimens in 30 gastric cancer patients. Subsequent functional studies of the selected gene were carried out, including cell cycle analysis, cell migration analysis, analyses of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PlGF), and oligo-microarray studies using two pairs of stable cell lines of the selected gene. Another independent cohort study of 79 gastric cancer patients was conducted to evaluate the clinical significance of the selected gene in human gastric cancer. Calreticulin (CRT) was selected for further investigation. Two pairs of stable cell lines of CRT overexpression and CRT knockdown were constructed to perform functional studies. CRT enhanced gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration. Overexpressed CRT upregulated the expression and secretion of PlGF and VEGF. CRT had a reciprocal effect on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression. Positive immunohistochemical staining of calreticulin was significantly correlated with high microvessel density (MVD) (p = 0.014), positive serosal invasion (p = 0.013), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002), perineural invasion (p = 0.008), and poor patient survival (p = 0.0014). Multivariate survival analysis showed that CRT, MVD, and serosal invasion were independent prognosticators. We conclude that CRT overexpression enhances angiogenesis, and facilitates proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, which is in line with the association of CRT with MVD, tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and survival in gastric cancer patients. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Lymph node metastasis as a significant prognostic factor in early gastric cancer: Analysis of 1,136 early gastric cancers

Background: Gastric cancer is the most frquent cancer and the leading cause of death from cancer in Korea. Early gastric cancer has been defined as a gastric carcinoma confined to mucosa or submucosa, regardless of lymph node status, and has an excellent prognosis with a >90% 5-year survival rate. From 1974 to 1992, we encountered 7,606 cases of gastric cancer and performed 6,928 gastric resections. Among them, 1,136 cases were early gastric cancer (14.9% of all gastric cancer cases and 16.4% of resected gastric cancer cases). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1,136 cases of early gastric cancer was performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicopathologic features (sex, age, tumor location, gross type, histologic type, depth of invasion, status of lymph node metastasis, resection type). Lymph node metastasis was classified into three groups: N(n=0) for no lymph node metastasis; N(n=1–3) for one to three lymph node metastases; and N(n>3) for more than three lymph node metastases. All patients received radical total or subtotal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection. Results: In univariate and multivariate analysis of these nine factors, the only statistically significant prognostic factor was regional lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). The others had no statistically significant association with prognosis. Lymph node metastasis was present in 178 cases (15.7%). The factors associated with the lymph node metastasis were depth of invasion and gross type [protruding type (e.g., types I, IIa)]. One hundred twenty-five of these patients had one to three lymph node metastases, and 53 cases had more than three lymph node metastases. The difference in 5-year survival rates among these groups was statistically significant: 94.5% for N(n=0), 88.3% for N(n=1–3), and 77.3% for N(n>3). Conclusion: We propose that for early gastric cancer, lymph node dissection is necessary in addition to gastric resection, at least in patients with a high risk of lymph node metastasis.     

早期胃癌淋巴结转移特征与危险因素

淋巴结转移是影响早期胃癌病人预后的独立危险因素。临床实践中准确诊断淋巴结转移对于病人的预后判断与治疗模式选择具有至关重要的作用。目前认为肿瘤浸润深度、脉管浸润、肿瘤组织分化类型、肿瘤病灶直径均与早期胃癌的淋巴结转移密切相关。对于具有淋巴结转移危险因素的早期胃癌病人,应慎重选择内镜下治疗方案,必要时选择追加外科手术对病人施行合理的淋巴结清扫。     

胃癌组织中环氧合酶2、Ki-67、微血管密度及临床病理因素对胃癌复发的影响

目的研究胃癌组织中环氧合酶2（COX-2）、Ki-67的表达和微血管密度（MVD）及其与临床病理因素的相互关系,探讨影响胃癌复发的因素.方法回顾性分析48例胃癌复发病例的临床病理特征,并以48例无复发病例作为对照.用免疫组织化学方法检测胃癌标本中COX-2、Ki-67的表达和MVD,并分析三者之间及其与临床病理因素的相关性.用单因素和多因素分析影响胃癌复发的相关因素.结果胃癌组织中COX-2、Ki-67的表达与MVD两两之间高度相关,并且都与浸润深度和TNM分期密切相关.复发组病例术前存在盆腔转移结节、浸润深度达浆膜或浆膜以外以及Borrmann分型Ⅲ型和Ⅳ型的比例明显增多,COX-2高表达和MVD明显增多,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.浸润深度、盆腔转移结节、COX-2高表达和MVD是胃癌复发的高危因素.结论COX-2高表达、MVD、浸润深度、盆腔转移结节是胃癌复发的独立影响因素.     

Angiogenesis predicts poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: New prognostic factors in gastric carcinoma to determine the prognosis of the disease or to identify patients who will benefit from adjuvant therapy are being researched. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between microvessel count (MVC) and various clinicopathologic features in gastric carcinoma in order to evaluate the role of angiogenesis on the prognosis of gastric cancer. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients who underwent surgical intervention for gastric carcinoma between 1993 and 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. The relationship between MVC and various clinicopathological features was assessed. The effect of angiogenesis on overall survival and the role of MVC and other prognostic factors on distant metastases were assessed by multivariate analysis. Microvessels were outlined by anti-factor VIII, which is a specific monoclonal antibody to factor VIII in vessel endothelial cells, using the streptavidin-biotin method and counted under light microscopy x200 magnification. RESULTS: There was no correlation between MVC and age or sex of the patient, duration of symptoms or tumor size. Proximally located, undifferentiated, diffuse type, serosal invasion positive, lymph node invasion positive, advanced stage, or distantly metastasized tumors had higher MVCs. Higher MVCs affected the overall survival adversely. Lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion and MVC were found as independent prognostic factors affecting distant metastases. MVC was the sole factor affecting recurrent liver metastasis. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that MVC in gastric carcinoma may be a valuable prognostic factor to predict patients at high-risk for possible recurrences and to decide on postoperative adjuvant therapy.     

早期胃癌患者临床病理因素与预后的关系

目的 探讨早期胃癌患者临床病理因素与预后之间的关系,为制定合理的治疗方案提供帮助.方法 回顾性分析2002年1月至2007年10月复旦大学附属中山医院收治的459例接受D2手术的早期胃癌患者的临床资料.Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率,Log-rank检验进行单因素分析,Cox回归模型分析年龄、性别、肿瘤直径、大体类型、分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴管浸润、淋巴结转移数目对预后的影响.结果 肿瘤直径、分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴管浸润和淋巴结转移数目影响早期胃癌患者预后(χ~2=8.476,6.210,4.014,14.197,55.027,P<0.05).是否有淋巴结转移是影响早期胃癌预后的独立危险因素,且淋巴结转移数目越多,对预后的影响越大.结论 淋巴结转移是影响早期胃癌预后最为重要的因素,适度地施行淋巴结清扫有重要的意义,对于存在淋巴结转移高危因素的患者更应谨慎地施行微创手术.     

Vascular invasion and potential for tumor angiogenesis and metastasis in gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hematogenous metastasis occurs when cancer cells released from the primary site enter blood vessels and are transported to distant organs, where they attach and proliferate. Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis and depends on the production of angiogenic factors by tumor cells. METHODS: We analyzed data on 1184 Japanese adult men and women with gastric cancer with respect to the relation between vascular invasion and the potential for tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. All these patients were treated from 1976 to 1995 in the Department of Surgery II, Kyushu University. In 300 patients, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53 protein in tumor tissues was examined by using an immunohistochemical staining method or Northern blotting or both. Intratumoral microvessels were stained with anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Vascular invasion was evident in 254 patients (21.5%), and in these patients lymphatic invasion was more frequent and the rate of lymph node metastasis was higher in relation to the extent of vascular invasion. The positive findings were directly related to the depth of invasion and the presence of lymph node and liver metastasis. Tumor invasive and metastatic rates increased in relation to the extent of vascular invasion. Expressions of VEGF and p53 protein were higher and microvessel density was more prominent in tumor tissues in relation to the extent of vascular invasion. A close relation between VEGF and p53 protein expressions was also noted in tumors that showed vascular invasion. The expression of VEGF is one of the independent risk factors for vascular invasion. The postoperative outcome was poorer in patients with vascular invasion in relation to the extent of vascular invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that gastric cancers with characteristics of vascular invasion have greater intratumoral angiogenesis and that VEGF and p53 overexpression is associated with intratumoral angiogenesis and metastases to distant organs.     

Association of color Doppler vascularity index and microvessel density with survival in patients with gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of microvessel density (MVD) and an in vivo angiogenesis parameter, color Doppler vascularity index (CDVI), in patients with gastric cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Many studies have reported a significant association between the degree of MVD-evaluated angiogenesis with the clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of patients with various solid tumors. All these studies were accomplished on tissue sections retrospectively obtained from surgical specimens. However, an in vivo method to assess tumor angiogenesis for human malignancies is highly desirable for diagnostic purpose, treatment planning, and follow-up. The CDVI is a new ultrasound parameter for evaluating in vivo angiogenesis, has a good correlation with status of lymph node metastasis in cervical carcinoma, and can predict distant metastasis and survival in colon cancer patients. Therefore, the CDVI may also be useful to assess in vivo angiogenesis in human gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 79 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in this study, and microvessel density was evaluated by using immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens with anti-CD-34 antibody. Tumors were sonographically visible in 31 patients. The CDVI of each tumor was determined using transabdominal color Doppler ultrasound. The CDVI was defined as the ratio of the number of the colored pixels within a tumor section to the number of total pixels in that specific tumor section, and was calculated by using Encomate software (Electronic Business Machine Co. Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan). Correlation between MVD, CDVI and clinicopathologic factors and patient survival was studied. RESULTS: The MVD was significantly correlated with vascular invasion by multiple linear regression analysis. Although the survival of patients with high MVD (> 32) was significantly worse than those with low MVD (< 32) by univariate analysis, vascular invasion was an independent prognostic factor by Cox proportional hazard model. There was a linear correlation between CDVI and MVD (r =.495, P =.005). Moreover, in patients with a high CDVI (> 11%), the survival rate was significantly lower than that in those with low CDVI (< or = 11%, P =.005). None of the patients with high CDVI (> 11%) survived 2 years after curative resection. In addition to vascular invasion, the CDVI was another independent prognostic factor in the patients with stage III gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular invasion was an important prognostic indicator in gastric cancer. The high CDVI was a good preoperative indicator of early death in stage III gastric cancer patients. Thus, the CDVI may be helpful in selecting patients with gastric cancer for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or anti-angiogenic therapy.     

影响早期胃癌淋巴结转移的多因素分析

目的探讨早期胃癌患者淋巴结转移的临床病理因素。方法回顾性分析1999年1月至2008年6月间行D2手术的369例早期胃癌患者的病例资料,对其年龄、性别、肿瘤位置、肿瘤大小、浸润深度、脉管瘤栓、肿瘤大体类型和分化程度与淋巴结转移的关系进行Logistic回归多因素分析。结果影响早期胃癌淋巴结转移的主要因素有患者的性别、肿瘤大小、浸润深度、脉管瘤栓和肿瘤分化类型,其中肿瘤大小和浸润深度是主要的独立危险因素（P〈0.01）。结论对早期胃癌患者,手术方案的选择需综合患者肿瘤大小、浸润深度、脉管瘤栓、分化程度和性别等因素来制定。     

Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C correlates with lymph node micrometastasis in submucosal esophageal cancer

Lymph node metastasis, including lymph node micrometastasis (LMM), is one of the most important prognostic factors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) plays a key role in the process of lymphangiogenesis. We examined VEGF-C expression and tumor microvessel density of the primary tumors in ESCC and analyzed relationships between VEGF-C expression and clinicopathologic findings including LMM in submucosal ESCC. The subjects were 87 patients with submucosal ESCC. Immunohistochemical staining of VEGF-C and CD34 was performed with primary tumors, and staining of cytokeratin was performed with dissected lymph nodes. Microvessel density was calculated from CD34 expression, and LMM was detected by cytokeratin staining. VEGF-C overexpression significantly correlated with depth of tumor invasion, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05, P<0.0001, and P<0.0001, respectively). High microvessel density also correlated with lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.005 and P<0.05, respectively). LMM was detected in 8 cases and 14 lymph nodes by cytokeratin staining. VEGF-C overexpression and high microvessel density were found in tumors with lymph node metastasis and/or LMM, compared with tumors without nodal metastasis or LMM (P<0.0001 and P<0.01, respectively). The present findings indicate that in ESCC with submucosal invasion, VEGF-C overexpression of the primary tumor is a strong high risk factor for lymph node metastasis, including LMM. Supported in Grant No. 17390373 part by grants-in-aid for scientific research from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan. (Shoji Natsugoe, M.D., Ph.D.)     

早期胃癌临床病理特征与预后因素的分析

目的：探讨早期胃癌临床病理特征与预后的关系。方法：采用单因素与多因素的分析方法，回顾性分析1994年至2000年间在我院接受手术且有完整临床资料和随访结果的137例早期胃癌病人的临床病理特征及其对预后的影响。结果：单因素分析显示肿瘤大小、浸润深度及淋巴结转移与早期胃癌的预后相关。多因素分析提示淋巴结转移是早期胃癌预后的独立危险因素。在本组无淋巴结转移的早期胃癌病人中，其术后5年生存率为93．2％，显著优于淋巴结转移者；其中有1～3枚淋巴结转移者，术后5年生存率为88．9％；有4枚及以上淋巴结转移者．术后5年生存率仅为30％，（P〈0．05）。血行转移是早期胃癌病人术后复发的主要类型。结论：淋巴结转移是影响早期胃癌预后的重要指标，术前评估早期胃癌的淋巴结转移状态有助于选择合理的治疗方案。应重视早期胃癌病人的术后随访。     

胃癌组织血管内皮细胞生长因子及其受体Flt-1的表达及与胃癌生物学行为的关系

目的探讨血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）及其受体fms-样酪氨酸激酶（Flt-1）在胃癌组织中的表达及其与肿瘤微血管密度（MVD）、浸润转移和生存期的关系。方法应用原位杂交和免疫组织化学技术，检测118例胃癌组织中VEGF和Flt-1 mRNA及CD34蛋白的表达。结果胃癌组织中VEGF和Flt-1 mRNA的阳性表达率分别为54．24％和55．9％：浸润性生长的肿瘤组织中VEGF和Flt-1的阳性表达率和MVD值明显高于膨胀性生长者（P〈0．01），VEGF和Flt-1表达及MVD值与浸润深度、脉管侵犯、淋巴结转移和远处转移显著相关（P〈0．05）；MVD值与VEGF和Flt-1 mRNA的表达水平有关（均P〈0．01）；VEGF和Flt-1 mRNA阳性表达及MVD值超过或等于54．9个／mm^2患者的平均生存时间和5年生存率均显著低于VEGF和Flt-1 mRNA阴性表达及MVD值少于54．9个／mm^2者。结论VEGF和Flt-1 mRNA可促进胃癌血管生成。并参与肿瘤浸润转移的过程，可作为反映胃癌生物学行为和判断预后的生物学指标。     

Analysis of early (pT1) gastric cancer with submucosal invasion: surgical management and possibility to schedule less invasive surgery

Background: Early gastric cancer (EGC) is one of the popular targets of less invasive surgery. The aim of the present study is to clarify the possibility of scheduling a less invasive surgery for EGC cases with submucosal (SM) invasion.Methods: Eighty cases of EGC with SM invasion were analyzed clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. Correlations between factors that reflect cancer progression and data from endoscopic examination were investigated.Results: Thirteen cases (16.3%) showed lymph node metastasis and the numbers of metastasis-positive lymph nodes ranged from 1 to 18. Two cases showed lymph node metastasis not only in the perigastric area, but also along the left gastric artery and the common hepatic artery. Only the tumor size showed a significant correlation with lymph node metastasis (P = .014) using the data from preoperative endoscopic examination. With respect to p53 overexpression, there was no significant correlation with pathologic factors in EGC with SM invasion. The simple protuberance types that were <2 cm in diameter had no lymph node metastasis.Conclusions: It seems difficult to predict the progression of EGC with SM invasion from the data currently obtained by preoperative endoscopic examination. It was suggested that less invasive surgery could be scheduled only for simple protuberance type cases that were <2 cm in diameter. Radical gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection is required, in open surgery or laparoscopic surgery, for any other type of EGC with SM invasion.     

Prognostic Significance of VEGF Expression in Correlation With COX-2, Microvessel Density,and Clinicopathological Characteristics in Human Gastric Carcinoma

Background Many studies have shown that angiogenesis plays an important role in the process of cancer development and progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has a potent angiogenic activity, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) supports angiogenesis by regulated production of angiogenic factors, including VEGF. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of VEGF in combination with COX-2 and CD34, their correlation with various clinicopathological factors, and their prognostic significance in human gastric carcinoma. Methods Specimens from 169 patients with different grade and stage gastric carcinoma were investigated by immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF expression. Tumor microvessel density was assessed with CD34 immunostaining. Correlations between the expression of VEGF, COX-2, CD34, and various clinicopathological factors were studied. The effect of these proteins on patient survival was determined. Results COX-2 and VEGF were positively expressed in 36.7% and 50.3% of the patients, respectively. Positive correlation was found between VEGF and COX-2 and between VEGF and CD34. VEGF expression was correlated with depth of invasion; metastatic lymph nodes; lymphatic and venous invasion; and tumor, node, metastasis system stage. Patients with positive staining for VEGF showed far lower disease-free (64.9% vs. 81.3%) and overall (58.3% vs. 76.9%) survival rates than VEGF-negative patients. In multivariate analysis, only tumor location, depth of invasion, and lymph node metastasis were shown to be independent prognostic factors. Conclusions VEGF expression correlates with angiogenesis and tumor progression and is a valuable prognostic factor in patients with gastric carcinoma.     

Clinical Significance of DNA Ploidy Pattern in Stage III Gastric Cancer

p value and Hazard ratio of the DNA ploidy patterns were 0.001 and 2.099, respectively. Consequently, it was a valuable independent prognostic factor that could be used in addition to lymph node metastasis and depth of invasion. For the most advanced subclass of stage III gastric cancer the 5-year survival rate of patients with a diploid tumor was significantly higher than that for those with aneuploid tumor. No difference was observed for the other subclasses. These results indicate that the DNA ploidy pattern is a valuable independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer, and that it is more useful for evaluating the prognosis of patients with more advanced lesions undergoing “curative resection.”     

Impact of Splenectomy for Lymph Node Dissection on Long-Term Surgical Outcome in Gastric Cancer

Background:In the treatment of gastric cancer, splenectomy is performed for effective lymph node dissection around the splenic artery and splenic hilum. The purpose of this study was to clarify the long-term outcome of splenectomy in the treatment of gastric cancer.Methods: The effect of splenectomy on recurrence and prognosis was examined in a retrospective analysis of 665 patients who had undergone curative total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma from 1987 to 1996. The risk factors associated with recurrence and prognosis were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: The splenectomy group showed more advanced lesions and a higher recurrence rate than the spleen-preserved group. However, after adjusting for the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) stage, there was no significant difference in recurrence rate and pattern between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gross type, serosal invasion, and nodal metastasis were independent risk factors for recurrence while splenectomy was not. When comparing patients with the same TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) stages, no significant difference in the 5-year survival rates was apparent. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, serosal invasion, and nodal metastasis were independent prognostic factors whereas splenectomy was not.Conclusions: These data suggest that splenectomy for lymph node dissection in gastric cancer is not effective regarding long-term patient prognosis.     

Risk factors predictive of lymph node metastasis in depressed early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to identify risk factors predictive of regional lymph node metastasis in depressed early gastric cancer and further to establish an objective criterion useful to indicate additional surgical treatment in cases in which submucosal tumor extension becomes evident by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). METHODS: Data from 276 patients surgically treated for depressed early gastric cancer were collected, and the relationship between the patient and tumor characteristics, and the lymph node metastasis was retrospectively evaluated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In the multivariate logistic regression model, female sex, a larger tumor size (20 mm or more), submucosal invasion, and presence of lymphatic vessel involvement were found to be independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis. Among 145 patients with submucosally invasive carcinoma, no lymph node metastasis was observed in patients who showed none of the other three risk factors, whereas 14.3% and 23.3% of patients with one and two of these factors had lymph node metastasis, respectively. The lymph node metastasis rate was calculated to be 86.7% in patients who had all three factors. CONCLUSIONS: Submucosal invasion, female sex, tumor size of 20 mm or more, and lymphatic vessel involvement were significantly and independently related to the presence of lymph node metastasis in depressed early gastric cancer. The positive number of the latter three risk factors is a simple criterion to indicate additional surgical treatment in cases with submucosal invasion revealed first by EMR.