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.     

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.     

胃黏膜下层癌淋巴结转移临床病理因素分析

【摘要】 目的 研究胃黏膜下层癌淋巴结转移率及其影响因素。 方法 回顾性分析南京医科大学第一附属医院1998年1月至2007年12月手术证实的181例胃黏膜下层癌的临床病理资料,对病人年龄、性别、肿瘤组织学类型、形态学类型、大小、部位、浸润深度、脉管内癌栓等与淋巴结转移的关系进行单因素与多因素分析。 结果 胃黏膜下层癌淋巴结转移率为20.44%。影响胃黏膜下层癌淋巴结转移的因素主要有肿瘤组织学类型（分化型 vs 分化不良型,P =0.0352）、直径大小（＜2cm vs ≥2cm,P =0.0143）、部位（近端胃vs胃体vs远端胃,P =0.0254）及脉管内癌栓（无vs有,P =0.0323）。Logistic回归分析显示肿瘤组织学类型与大小为胃黏膜下层癌淋巴结转移的独立性危险因素。结论 胃黏膜下层癌淋巴结转移与肿瘤组织学类型、大小、部位及脉管内癌栓等因素有关。临床上应参考上述临床病理因素判断淋巴结转移风险,制定合适的治疗方案。     

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??Clinicopathological Characteristics Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Gastric Cancer with Submucosal Invasion SHEN Li-zong, HUANG Yi-ming, SUN Mao-cai, et al. Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China Corresponind author: SHEN Li-zong, E-mail: shenlz@163.com Abstract Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of early gastric cancer with submucoal invasion associated with lymph node metastasis. Methods The data from 181 patients surgically treated for early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion between 1998 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The clinicopathological variables associated with lymph node metastasis were evaluated. Results Lymph node metastasis was observed in 20.44% of patients. The histological classification, tumor size, location in the stomach and presence of vascular or lymphatic invasion showed a positive correlation with the rate of lymph node metastasis by univariate analysis. Multivariate analyses revealed histological classification and tumor size to be significantly and independently related to lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Histological classification, tumor size, location in the stomach and presence of vascular or lymphatic invasion are risk factors for lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucoal invasion. Minimal invasive treatment, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection, may be possible in highly selective cancers.     

Predictors of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer.

Data were analysed on 396 patients with early gastric cancer who underwent resection in this department; special reference was made to lymph node metastasis. Metastases were present in the dissected lymph nodes of 47 patients (11.9 per cent). The survival rate for patients with metastasis to lymph nodes was lower than for those without such metastasis (P less than 0.05). Lymph node metastasis was associated with larger tumour, a higher incidence of submucosal invasion, a higher rate of lymphatic vessel involvement, an advanced stage of disease and a non-curative resection rate of 6.4 per cent. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients with early gastric cancer were large tumour size, lymphatic vessel involvement and invasion into the submucosal layer. In patients with these risk factors, lymph node dissection and postoperative adjuvant therapy should be performed in an attempt to prevent recurrence in the form of lymph node metastasis.     

Clinicopathological features and medical management of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: The detection of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) has increased worldwide due to advances in endoscopic techniques and equipment. The aim of the current study was to compare the clinicopathological findings of patients with and without lymph node metastasis. METHODS: A total of 440 cases of early gastric carcinoma in patients who underwent surgical procedures between 1981 and 2002 at Kochi Medical School were studied. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis was observed in 38 patients (8.6%) with EGC. Multivariate analysis identified 4 independent risk factors of lymph node metastasis: (1) submucosal invasion; (2) tumor diameter greater than 3.5 cm; (3) the presence of vascular invasion; and (4) the presence of lymphatic permeation. CONCLUSION: For patients with tumor size between 1 cm and 3.5 cm we would recommend endoscopic resection initially, with a consideration for additional surgical resection if microscopic vascular invasion or lymphatic permeation is demonstrated.     

Significant prognostic factors in patients with early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Early gastric cancer is defined as a gastric carcinoma confined to the mucosa or submucosa regardless of lymph node status, and it has an excellent prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of more than 90%. From 1985 to 1995, we encountered 266 cases of early gastric cancer in our hospital. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the 266 cases of early gastric cancer was performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicopathological features (age, gender, tumor size, tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, histological type, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, histological growth pattern, cancer-stromal relationship and type of operation). RESULTS: The overall survival rate of all the patients with early gastric cancer was 95.7%. In univariate analysis, the statistical significant prognostic factors were regional lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0004), lymphatic invasion (P = 0.0053) and cancer-stromal relationship (P = 0.0016). Absence of lymph node metastasis and lymphatic invasion, and a medullary-type histopathology were associated with improved survival. In multivariate analysis, the statistically significant prognostic factors were lymph node metastasis and cancer-stromal relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of lymph node involvement and a scirrhous type of gastric cancer are associated with poor prognosis. Lymph node dissection with gastric resection is necessary for patients with early gastric cancer who have a high risk of lymph node metastasis. Postoperative chemotherapy is recommended for a scirrhous type of early gastric cancer.     

Characterization of early gastric cancer and proposal of the optimal therapeutic strategy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The optimal protocol of the treatment for early gastric cancer has not been fully established. The current study was designed to elucidate the relationship between the depth of tumors with or without an ulcer and the presence of lymph node metastasis and to establish the optimal and practical therapeutic strategy for patients with early gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1051 patients with early gastric cancer treated by gastrectomy with D1 or D2 lymph node dissection was performed. The patients were divided into those with mucosal (M) tumors and those with submucosal (SM) tumors. These 2 groups were subclassified, depending on the coexistence of ulcer or the degree of submucosal invasion, and were characterized in relation to clinicopathologic factors and 5-year prognosis. RESULTS: The incidence of lymph node metastases from SM tumors (19.8%, 85 of 430) was more frequent than that from M tumors (2.3%, 14 of 621) (P <.001). All M tumors with lymph node involvement, including tumors smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter, had ulceration or ulceration scar in the lesions. SM tumors that had invaded less than 200 microm in depth (SM1a) had significantly less lymph node involvement than those with deeper invasion. The node metastases were confined to epigastric lymph nodes (N1) in both M tumors with ulceration or ulceration scar and SM1a tumors. CONCLUSIONS: All macroscopic M tumors without ulceration or ulceration scar should be considered for endoscopic mucosal resection. The need for reoperation for a formal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy or a limited surgical operation will vary depending on the pathologic analysis of endoscopic mucosal resection specimens (depth of invasion, presence of ulceration).     

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.     

Surgical Indication for Non-curative Endoscopic Resection in Early Gastric Cancer

Background Endoscopic resection (ER) is an effective treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) without lymph node metastasis. However, after ER additional surgery may be needed to manage the risks presented by residual cancer or lymph node metastasis. Methods ER was performed on 344 gastric adenocarcinomas between November 2001 and April 2006 at the Korean National Cancer Center under the strict pre-procedural indication. The authors performed operations in 43 patients due to: residual mucosal cancer, a mucosal cancer larger than 3 cm, or a submucosal cancer regardless of size or margin involvement. ER and surgical specimens were reviewed and analyzed for residual cancer and lymph node metastasis. Results Based on examinations of ER specimens, cancer was confined to the mucosal layer in 15 patients (34.9%) and invaded the submucosal layer in 28 patients (65.1%). Surgical specimens showed residual cancer in 17 patients (39.5%) and lymph node metastasis in four (9.3%). Neither residual cancer nor lymph node metastasis was found in patients with less than 500 μm submucosal invasion without margin involvement in ER specimens. In three of four patients with lymph node metastasis, the depth of submucosal invasion was 500 μm or more; the remaining patient had a 4-cm-sized differentiated mucosal cancer. Conclusions When a pathologic evaluation of an ER specimen reveals more than 500 μm of submucosal invasion or a mucosal cancer of larger than 3 cm, surgery should be considered due to the risk of lymph node metastasis.     

早期胃癌淋巴结转移潜在危险因素分析

目的:探讨影响早期胃癌淋巴结转移的潜在危险因素,指导胃癌淋巴结清扫术(D1或D2)的合理应用。方法:回顾性分析1995年3月—2010年6月经手术治疗的336例早期胃癌患者的临床病理资料,对影响早期胃癌淋巴结转移的潜在危险因素进行单因素及多因素分析。结果:早期胃癌淋巴结转移与性别(P=0.010)、年龄(P=0.013)、肿瘤部位(P=0.042)、有无合并溃疡(P=0.001)、浸润深度(P<0.0001)、有无脉管癌栓(P<0.0001)有关,合并有溃疡(P=0.012)、浸润至黏膜下层(P=0.008)及有脉管癌栓(P=0.001)是淋巴结转移的独立性危险因素;黏膜内癌淋巴结转移与肿瘤部位(P=0.007)及大小(P=0.010)有关,肿瘤直径>20mm(P=0.041)是黏膜内癌淋巴结转移的独立性危险因素。结论:合并有溃疡、浸润至黏膜下层及有脉管癌栓的早期胃癌患者进行手术时,建议行淋巴结清扫(D2)术;肿瘤直径>20mm黏膜内癌也要考虑行淋巴结清扫(D2)术。     

Is lymphadenectomy needed for all submucosal gastric cancers?

OBJECTIVE: To find out if it is feasible to extend the indication for local resection of submucosal gastric cancer without increasing the risk of lymph node metastases. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Japan. SUBJECTS: 104 patients with gastric cancer confined to the submucosal layer who underwent conventional gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy. INTERVENTIONS: The risk of nodal metastases was analysed retrospectively depending on the depth of submucosal invasion, size of the tumour, and other clinicopathological findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The degree of submucosal invasion, size of the tumour, and incidence of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: 15/104 patients (14%) had lymph node metastases. No patient in whom submucosal invasion was less than 500 microm or tumour was less than 15 mm in diameter developed lymph node metastases. Fewer patients had lymphatic permeation (37/89) and venous involvement (21/89) in the group without lymph node metastases. CONCLUSION: These data seem to support the hypothesis that early, minimally invasive, gastric cancer measuring < 15 mm in diameter could be treated by endoscopic mucosal or local resection, and gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy might be unnecessary.     

Peritoneal Dissemination of Early Gastric Cancer: Report of a Case

Recurrence of early gastric cancer is rare, with an incidence of less than 10% in Japan. Using peritoneal lavage cytological examination, we detected tumor cells in the peritoneal cavity of a 73-year-old man undergoing surgery for early gastric cancer. Peritoneal dissemination of early gastric cancer is rare. Thus, we summarized the clinicopathological findings of the total 15 cases of peritoneal dissemination of early gastric cancer documented in the English medical literature, including this case. All of the patients had a tumor size >2 cm, submucosal invasion, differentiated adenocarcinoma, lymph node metastasis, and a shorter disease-free interval (average 33.1 months) than patients with other types of recurrent early gastric cancer, and the involvement of both recurrent lymph nodes and peritoneal dissemination. Based on this analysis, we conclude that patients with early gastric cancer, especially if the tumor is >2 cm with submucosal invasion, should be examined carefully for any form of recurrence.     

Angiogenesis as an unfavorable factor related to lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer

Background: Recent studies suggest that angiogenesis enhances tumor growth and metastasis. Lymph node metastasis influences the prognosis and selection of treatment modalities in cancers. In this study, the authors investigated the correlation between angiogenesis and clinicopathologic features to determine whether angiogenesis correlated with lymph node metastasis in early-stage gastric cancer. Methods: A total of 97 specimens from patients with early gastric cancer were studied by immunohistochemical methods using anti-Factor VIII-related antigen antibody. Results: Tumor size was significantly correlated with microvessel count, which increased as tumor size increased. Microvessel counts from tumors with lymphatic vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis, and submucosal invasion were significantly higher than those without. Furthermore, microvessel count was an independent factor that influenced lymph node metastasis (P=.0016) by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: In the early stage of gastric carcinoma, angiogenesis is an independent factor that impacts on lymph node metastasis.     

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.     

胃癌淋巴转移规律与淋巴结清扫范围的分析(附326例报告)

目的 探讨胃癌淋巴结转称规律和胃癌根治术的淋巴清扫范围。方法 １９９０年～１９９９年行Ｄ２、Ｄ３、Ｄ３淋巴结廓清术加腹主动脉旁淋巴结廓汪术（Ｄ３加ＰＡＬ）的胃癌患者３２６例,对期临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 本组总的淋巴结转移率６９．９％,早期与进展期胃癌淋巴结转移率分别为１５．４％和７７．４％。肿瘤浸润深度达Ｔ１的患者,淋巴结转移主要局限于Ｎ１;达Ｔ２的患者淋巴结转移至Ｎ３、Ｔ４的ＫＫＨＮＦＴＪ     

Micrometastasis in lymph nodes and microinvasion of the muscularis propria in primary lesions of submucosal gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: It is important to clarify the clinicopathologic characteristics of micrometastasis in lymph nodes and microinvasion in primary lesions for the treatment options with regard to submucosal gastric cancer. METHODS: We examined 1945 lymph nodes and 68 primary tumors resected from 79 patients with submucosal gastric cancer. Two consecutive sections were prepared for simultaneous staining with ordinary hematoxylin and eosin and immunostaining with anticytokeratin antibody (CAM 5.2), respectively. RESULTS: The incidence of nodal involvement in 79 patients with submucosal gastric cancer increased from 13% (10/79 patients) by hematoxylin and eosin staining to 34% (27/79 patients) by cytokeratin immunostaining. Micrometastases in the lymph nodes were found in 17 of 69 patients (25%), with cancer-free nodes examined by hematoxylin and eosin. Microinvasion to the muscularis propria was found in 11 of 68 patients (16%) who were histologically diagnosed with submucosal gastric cancer. Survival analysis demonstrated a lesser 5-year survival in the patients with micrometastasis in lymph nodes (82%) and with microinvasion to muscularis propria (73%). A high incidence of nodal involvement was found in submucosal cancers of large size (> 2 cm; 43%), a depressed type (48%), lymphatic invasion (73%), and deeper submucosal invasion (submucosal 3, 53%). A higher incidence of microinvasion was found with the diffuse-type carcinoma (33%). CONCLUSIONS: Cytokeratin immunostaining is useful for detecting micrometastasis and microinvasion in submucosal gastric cancer. Tumor size, macroscopic type, lymphatic invasion, and the depth of submucosal invasion are strongly associated with lymph node involvement.     

早期远端胃印戒细胞癌淋巴结转移的危险因素分析及外科手术指征探讨

目的研究早期远端胃印戒细胞癌淋巴结转移的危险因素,进一步分析其外科手术指征。方法回顾性分析2013年3月至2018年11月期间在苏州大学附属第一医院普外科接受外科根治手术且术后病理学检查证实为远端胃印戒细胞癌的91例早期胃癌患者的临床资料,收集患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤最大径、病灶数量、浸润深度、肿瘤大体外观、脉管癌栓、合并溃疡等数据,探索发生淋巴结转移的危险因素,进一步分析外科手术指征。结果91例早期远端胃印戒细胞癌均接受了外科根治性手术,其中淋巴结转移10例。单因素分析结果显示,肿瘤最大径(χ^2=5.631,P=0.025)、浸润深度(χ^2=4.389,P=0.016)、病灶数量(χ^2=5.615,P=0.023)及脉管癌栓(χ^2=22.500,P=0.001)均与早期远端胃印戒细胞癌的淋巴结转移有关。多因素分析结果显示,肿瘤最大径(OR=3.675,P=0.012)、浸润深度(OR=3.886,P=0.015)及脉管癌栓(OR=8.711,P<0.001)是早期远端胃印戒细胞癌发生淋巴结转移的影响因素,肿瘤最大径≥2 cm、浸润至黏膜下层及有脉管癌栓的患者有更高的淋巴结转移率。结论肿瘤最大径≥2 cm、浸润至黏膜下层及存在脉管癌栓的早期远端胃印戒细胞癌患者有更高的淋巴结转移风险;满足肿瘤最大径≥2 cm和存在脉管癌栓中任何1项条件者均可能需接受外科根治性手术。     

Lymph Node Status in Patients with Submucosal Gastric Cancer

Background The aim of this study was to clarify the lymph node status in patients with submucosal gastric cancer.Methods Between April 1994 and December 1999, 615 patients with histologically proven submucosal gastric cancer who underwent curative resection were included in this study. The results of the surgery and predictive factors for lymph node metastasis were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. The accuracy of the predictive factors was assessed in a second population of a further 186 patients.Results Lymph node metastasis was observed in 119 patients (19.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that pathologic tumor diameter (≥20 mm) and lymphatic invasion were independent predictive factors for lymph node metastasis. The incidence of lymph node metastasis without these 2 predictive factors was 1.8% (2 of 113), and it was 51.2% (85 of 166) with the 2 predictive factors, 9.5% (14 of 148) in tumors <20 mm in diameter, and 5.3% (22 of 414) in tumors without lymphatic invasion. Among patients with a tumor <20 mm in diameter, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was significantly reduced in those with a differentiated tumor: 4.2% (4 of 95). These results were almost identical to those observed in the second population.Conclusions Lymph node status can be accurately predicted on the basis of pathologic tumor diameter <20 mm, lymphatic invasion (absence), and histological type (differentiated) in patients with submucosal gastric cancer. Less extensive surgery for these patients might be reconsidered after confirmation of the reproducibility of the results of this study by an appropriately designed prospective clinical trial.     

Distribution of Lymph Node Metastasis Including Micrometastasis in Gastric Cancer with Submucosal Invasion

Abstract The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the distribution of lymph node metastases, including micrometastases, according to the location of the gastric cancer with submucosal invasion. A total of 118 patients with submucosal gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. The distribution of lymph node metastases was examined according to tumor location. Immunohistochemical examination using anti-cytokeratin antibody was performed to examine nodal micrometastases in 118 patients. Lymph node metastasis was found in 19.5% (23/118) of the patients. Significant differences were found for tumor size and depth, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion for patients with and without nodal metastasis. The distribution of lymph node metastasis for tumors at upper or middle portions of the stomach was mainly found along the left gastric artery. The distribution of lymph node metastasis for tumors in the lower and lesser curvature varied. Immunohistochemical analysis found that 15 of 23 patients with lymph node metastasis found by histologic examination had micrometastases. The presence of two or more lymph node micrometastases was found in these 15 patients, and they were distributed in another stations, including distant nodes. The incidence of micrometastasis was 24.2% (23/95) in pN0 patients. Lymph node micrometastases were confined to regional nodes near the primary tumor. When planning minimally invasive treatment for submucosal gastric cancer, it is important to understand the distribution of lymph node metastasis, including micrometastasis, according to tumor location.