Prediction of survival in gastric carcinoma related to lymph node grading by the new American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union International Contre le Cancer System or the Japanese system.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the classification of gastric cancer adopted by the American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Union International contre le Cancer (AJCC/UICC) (number of nodes involved) with the Japanese classification (sites of nodes involved). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Turkey. SUBJECTS: 134 consecutive patients whose gastric cancer was treated by D2 resection. INTERVENTIONS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox's regression model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Accuracy of prognosis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in survival rates when pN1 and pN2 categories of the AJCC/UICC classification were subdivided into the n1 and n2 categories of the Japanese classification. However, when those in the n1 and n2 categories of the Japanese classification were subdivided into the pN1, pN2 and pN3 categories of the AJCC/UICC classification, survival differed significantly (p = 0.00001). When both classifications were combined in a multivariate analysis the pN category of the AJCC/UICC classification was found to be the most significant independent prognostic factor (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Classification of lymph node status by number of nodes (AJCC/UICC) rather than anatomical site (Japanese) gives a more accurate prognosis.     

Minimum number of lymph nodes that should be examined for the International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification of gastric carcinoma

Abstract The classification of lymph node metastasis based on the number of positive nodes has been adopted in the International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) TNM classification of gastric carcinoma. However, the N classification (for condition of the regional lymph nodes) would be underestimated when the number of examined nodes were too small. To determine the minimum number of lymph nodes to examine for a correct classification, we analyzed 926 patients undergoing curative resection for gastric carcinoma. The number of metastatic lymph nodes correlated significantly with the number of examined lymph nodes. The pN0 patients with 10 to 14 examined nodes showed a significantly higher survival rate than did those with 5 to 9 examined nodes, and they had as good a prognosis as those with 15 or more examined nodes. In the pN1 and pN2 categories, patients with 29 or fewer examined nodes tended toward lower survival rates than did patients with 30 or more examined nodes. Among the patients who were classified as stage IA, the survival rate for those with 5 to 9 examined nodes was significantly lower than that for patients with 30 or more examined nodes. Among the patients classified as stage III, those with 10 to 19 examined nodes and those with 20 to 29 examined nodes had lower survival rates than did patients with 30 or more examined nodes. In conclusion, the minimum number of lymph nodes examined for a correct pN0 classification can be reduced from 15 to 10. For pN1–3 classifications, 20 or more nodes should be examined, and examining 30 or more lymph nodes may be desirable. Electronic Publication     

一种新的胃癌淋巴结分期方案

目的比较AJCC/UICC 1997年第五版胃癌TNM分期中的N分期与以淋巴结转移度为标准的新N分期. 方法行D2或D3术式的胃癌(皆无远处转移)标本用透光法摘取淋巴结,分别按2种方法分期,新法中N1为淋巴结转移度0.01%～10.00%, N2为10.01%～25.00%,N3为＞25.00%.全组随访,资料经统计学处理. 结果本组78例患者共取得淋巴结5388 枚,平均每例69枚(范围30～157枚).全组淋巴结转移率75.64%(59/78).新分期N0、N 1、N2、N3期患者3年生存率分别为100%、68.42%、7.58%、6.78%(χ2=35.85 0,P<0.01, r=0.95). 结论淋巴结转移度是一相对数,在预后的判断上,优于淋巴结转移数目.     

淋巴结转移率对食管胃交界部腺癌患者的预后评估价值

目的 比较AJCC/UICC胃癌淋巴结（pN）分期与淋巴结转移率（MLR）分期及以其为基础的TNM与TRM分期系统对食管胃交界部腺癌患者的预后评估价值.方法 回顾性分析天津市肿瘤医院2000年1月至2007年6月间行根治性切除手术的414例食管胃交界部腺癌的临床资料.采用Spearman相关分析检验 pN、MLR与送检淋巴结数3者之间的相关性;应用单因素KaplanMeier生存分析和多因素Cox回归分析检验pN、MLR、TNM及TRM分期与患者预后的关系;通过ROC曲线下面积（AUC）比较它们对患者5年生存率的预测价值.结果 414例患者中位淋巴结清扫数目17（4～71）枚/例,中位转移淋巴结数目4（0～67）枚/例.阳性淋巴结数与淋巴结清扫数目呈正相关 （P＜0.01）,MLR与淋巴结清扫数目无相关性（P＞0.05）.单因素和多因素预后分析结果表明,pN和MLR均可单独作为食管胃交界部腺癌患者的独立预后因素（均P＜0.01）,且MLR的相对危险度（HR）值高于pN（1.573比1.382）;但当pN与MLR共同纳入多因素分析时,MLR仍是独立预后因素（P＜0.01）,而pN不再是其独立预后因素（P＞0.05）.MLR和pN预测患者预后所对应的AUC分别为0.726和 0.714,TRM分期和TNM分期所对应的AUC分别为0.747和0.736,差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）.结论 MLR是食管胃交界部腺癌患者的独立预后因素,MLR及以其为基础的TRM分期对食管胃交界部腺癌患者预后的评估价值或优于pN及以其为基础的TNM分期.     

Prognostic significance of the number of positive lymph nodes in gallbladder cancer

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of the number of lymph node metastases. The medical records of 33 patients with node-positive gallbladder cancer (GBC) treated at our institution from January 1985 through December 2002 were reviewed. There were 10 cases with a single node metastasis. The sites were as follows: the cystic duct node, the pericholedochal node, the retroportal node, the hilar node, the lymph node around the common hepatic artery, and the paraaortic node. According to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) 5th edition, 5-year survival rates for the patients with pN1, pN2, and greater than pN2 were 19.2%, 10%, and 0%, respectively (not significant). Patients with a single node metastasis had a higher 5-year survival rate (33%) than patients with two or more lymph node metastases (0%; P<0.05). There were no lymph node recurrences in patients with a single node metastasis. Number of positive nodes and liver metastasis were factors predictive of significantly worse survival. Rather than using the topographic classification, or even simply classifying whether nodal involvement is positive or negative, classification according to the number of positive nodes will contribute to establishing a more practically useful staging system.     

Ⅲ期结肠癌患者区域淋巴结分期方法的研究及其预后预测模型的建立

目的比较Ⅲ期结肠癌患者不同区域淋巴结分级系统的临床应用价值,建立其预后预测模型。方法回顾性分析1999年1月至2008年12月间在中国医科大学肿瘤研究所行根治性手术的256例Ⅲ期结肠癌患者的临床和随访资料。根据与区域淋巴结转移相关的各项指标．分别使用AJCC第7版中的pN分期、日本大肠癌临床处理规约（JGR）中的iN分期及基于Log-rank统计学计算得出的淋巴结比率（LNR）分期对纳入研究的患者进行淋巴结（N）分期。使用线性趋势xz检验、似然比xz检验和一致性指数评估各分期系统的同质性、单调性和判别力。应用单因素分析和多因素预后分析建立相关的预后预测模型．通过比较各模型AIC值得出最理想的预后预测模型。结果通过Log-rank检验对每个分割点进行检验．求得最优分割点为0．11和0．39．以其作为分割点进行LNR分期,分为LNRl（LNR小于0．11）、LNR2（0．11-0．39）和LNR3（大于或等于0．39）。经一致性检验,pN分期、jN分期及LNR分期的一致性指数分别为0．624、0．611和0．700,三者比较,LNR分期系统的异质性最小。通过Cox模型分别针对pN分期、jN分期及LNR分期建立预后预测模型,其AIC值分别为99．937、71．631和65．548。三者比较,LNR分期的模型预后价值最高。结论LNR分期（0．11和0．39为截点）对于Ⅲ期结肠癌患者而言,是最为理想的分期系统。其对患者预后的评估价值优于现行的最新版AJCC的pN分期及JGR的jN分期。     

关于胃癌TNM分期系统中最少淋巴结检出数目的研究

目的研究国际抗癌联盟(UICC)和美国癌症联合会(AJCC)对胃癌TNM分期系统中准确分期的最少检出淋巴结数目。方法回顾性收集436例行胃癌根治术的患者淋巴结数目、生存率等临床和病理资料,通过卡方检验和q检验方法对其进行分析。结果在pN0病例中,送检淋巴结1～4个,5～9个的病例,比10～14个和15个以上的5年生存率低且差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。10～14个检出淋巴结的病例与15个以上的5年生存率差别无统计学意义。在pN1,pN2患者,送检1～4个,5～9个和10～14个淋巴结者与15个以上者的生存率差别具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Ⅱ期中检出10～19个淋巴结的患者,其5年生存率明显低于20～29个及30个以上的患者,在Ⅲ期中,检出5～9,10～19,20～29个淋巴结者生存率显著低于30个以上的生存率(P<0.05)。结论淋巴结检出数目在胃癌pN分期中显著影响预后。pN0的最少检出数目应由原来的15个减至10个。而有淋巴结转移的病例至少应送检15个以上淋巴结。Ⅱ期病例最好检出20个淋巴结,而Ⅲ、Ⅳ期最好检出30个以上淋巴结。     

Prognostic Significance of the Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Background  

In gastric cancer, the classification of lymph node status is still a controversial prognostic factor. Recent studies have proposed a new prognostic factor (metastatic lymph node ratio: MLR) for gastric cancer patients who undergo curative resection. The present study tested the hypothesis that MLR was better than the current pN staging system by analyzing the correlation between MLR and the International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) staging system, by analyzing the correlation between MLR and 5-year overall survival (OS), by comparing area under the curve (AUC), and by performing univariate and multivariate analyses for OS.     

病理N3期胃癌310例预后分析

目的探讨UICC第7版TNM分期标准中病理N3（pN3）期胃癌患者的预后特征及预后影响因素。方法回顾性分析2000年1月至2006年12月间天津医科大学附属肿瘤医院收治的实施胃癌根治术或扩大根治术的310例pN3期胃癌患者的临床病理和随访资料,分别采用Logrank检验和Cox比例风险模型进行单因素和多因素预后分析。结果310例患者均获随访,随访时间为2～103（平均35．7）月,术后5年生存率为14．6％。其中pN3a期201例,pN3b期109例,5年生存率分别为16．8％和10．3％,差异有统计学意义（P=0．013）。单因素预后分析显示,肿瘤部位、Borrmann分型、pT分期、pN分期、淋巴结转移率及手术方式与患者预后有关（均P〈0．05）。多因素分析显示,浸润深度、手术方式及淋巴结转移率是影响预后的独立危险因素（均P〈0．01）,而pN分期并不是独立的预后影响因素（P=0．658）。按浸润深度对患者进行分层分析显示,对于210例pT4a期患者,pN3a和pN3b亚组5年生存率分别为16．1％和12．8％,差异有统计学意义（P=0．001）;但对于88例pT4b期患者,pN3a和pN,b亚组5年生存率的差异则无统计学意义（8．6％比3．1％,P=0．137）。结论pM期胃癌患者预后较差,肿瘤浸润深度和不同手术方式是影响其预后的重要因素,淋巴结转移率对判断pM期胃癌预后有重要意义。第7版TNM分期中pN3分期能较好反映患者的预后情况。     

转移淋巴结的数量和范围对食管癌预后的影响

目的探讨转移淋巴结枚数、组数及野数对食管癌患者预后的影响,为更加合理的淋巴结转移分级提供参考。方法回顾性分析2001年6月至2009年12月间在上海市胸科医院进行手术治疗的204例食管癌患者的临床资料,并按照2009年第七版国际食管癌TNM分期对所有患者进行重新分期。采用Log-rank检验和Cox比例风险模型来评估转...     

Nodal Staging in Adenocarcinoma of the Gastro-Esophageal Junction. Proposal of a Specific Staging System

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at developing a proper nodal staging system for GEJ adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The study analyzed 113 patients with GEJ adenocarcinoma consecutively resected at the Department of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology of the University of Siena and at the Department of General Surgery of the University of Verona. Both the number (TNM) and site (JGCA) of lymph node metastasis was evaluated in considering nodal staging. RESULTS: The TNM and JGCA staging systems coincided only in 56.3% of cases. Nodal involvement resulted to be the most important prognostic factor considering both the staging systems (P < 0.001). An extremely poor prognosis and a prominent risk of death were observed for patients with more than six metastatic nodes (TNM pN2-3) as well as for patients with involvement of second and third tier nodes (JGCA pN2-3) (P < 0.001). The combined prognostic significance of the two classifications showed a similar risk of death for patients with less than seven metastatic nodes (TNM pN1) located beyond the first tier (JGCA pN2-3) and for patients with more than six involved nodes (TNM pN2-3) independently from the interested level (JGCA pN1-3). Accordingly, these classes were pooled together and four classes considered: pN0, TNM-JGCA pN1, TNM pN2-3 or JGCA pN2-3, M1a (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the TNM and JGCA staging systems herein proposed is extremely practical from a clinical point of view and leads to the stratification of pN+ patients in two classes only with very different risk of death.     

国际胃癌新分期对我国临床应用的指导意义

第7版胃癌国际分期对T分期和N分期做出了重大调整,日本胃癌分期与UICC/AJCC分期实现了统一.日本胃癌诊治指南对临床关注的有关淋巴结清扫范围做出了明确规定.新版TNM分期由于采用了日韩的数据,因此,能更准确地预测标准淋巴结清扫术后患者的预后.对于是否需要切脾并清扫第10组淋巴结、全网膜囊切除的必要性、第13组和第14组淋巴结转移对预后的影响等问题,需要进一步的循证医学证据.D2淋巴结清扫已为东西方学者普遍接受.对特定病例,腹主动脉旁淋巴结清扫的意义有待进一步临床试验证实.国际胃癌分期项目将从全球23个国家收集数据,相信第8版国际胃癌分期将具有真正的国际化意义.     

The metastatic lymph node ratio predicts survival in colon cancer

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastases are the most important predictor of survival in non-stage IV colon cancer. Recent studies of gastric cancer have shown a prognostic significance of a lymph node ratio (number of positive nodes divided by total number harvested). Our goal was to determine whether a lymph node ratio (LNR) would predict disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in a tertiary care Veterans Affairs medical center. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of colon cancer patients was performed to determine the effect of LNR on DFS and OS. A cohort of 232 patients with non-stage IV colon cancer was eligible for analysis. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: For all patients, a LNR of .08 was identified as a breakpoint for predicting OS and DFS. Specific analysis of stage III patients revealed that a LNR of .18 was predictive of DFS. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the prognostic significance of ratio-based staging for colon cancer and may aid in future staging systems.     

Valor pronóstico del ratio nodal en el cáncer gástrico: análisis unicéntrico de 199 pacientes

IntroductionIn the gastric cancer the most widely used classification is the AJCC TNM system. However, it presents limitations, such as staging migration in cases with suboptimal lymphadenectomies. The nodal ratio has been proposed as an alternative system, proving to be a good prognostic predictor of survival. The aim was to assess the influence of the nodal ratio measured in tertiles [tNR] as a prognostic factor and compare with the TNM systems (7th ed.) and log odds of positive lymph nodes [LODDS].Material and methodsRetrospective and single-center study on 199 patients operated on with curative intent between 2010 and 2014. For each system an univariate and multivariate analysis was performed and the overall survival rates [OS] were compared by the ROC test.ResultsThe prognostic factors that showed statistical significance in the multivariate analysis were: tNR2 (HR 2.87) and tNR 3 (HR 7.29); LODDS 2 (HR 1.55), LODDS3 (HR 2.6) and LODDS4 (HR 4.9); pN2 (HR 1.84) and pN3 (HR 2.91). The 5-year OS was 75.8, 61.4, 25.8 and 3.84% for tNR0, tNR1, tNR2 and tNR3; 72.4, 60, 29.1 and 13.9% for LODDS1, LODDS2, LODDS3 and LODDS4; and 77.6, 59.4, 28.8 and 25.5% for pN0, pN1, pN2 and pN3, respectively. The three systems behaved as good predictors, with areas under the curve >0.75.ConclusiontNR was an independent prognostic factor for estimating survival in gastric cancer. Furthermore, the ease of its calculation in clinical practice could reduce the effect of staging migration.     

淋巴结转移率对淋巴结清扫不足15枚胃癌患者预后评估的价值

目的 评价淋巴结转移率(MLR)对淋巴结清扫不足15枚胃癌患者预后评估的价值.方法 回顾性分析天津医科大学附属肿瘤医院2003年1月到2007年7月间收治的610例胃癌患者的临床资料.其中淋巴结清扫数目不足15枚者320例,15枚以上者290例,比较两组患者在不同病理N分期(pN分期)和不同淋巴结转移度分期(rN分期)中预后的差异.结果 通过Log-rank检验,确定MLR的界值,按此界值可分为rN1(MLR小于或等于10％)、rN2(MLR大于10％,但小于或等于30％)、rN3(MLR大于30％,但小于或等于60％)和rN4(MLR大于60％)4期.对于淋巴结清扫数目不足15枚者,上述不同rN分期患者的生存差异均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05);在同一rN分期中,不同pN分期之间生存差异亦均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).对于pN2和pN3a期患者,淋巴结清扫数目不足15枚者与15枚以上者的生存差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05);但在各个rN分期中,两者间差异均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).多因素预后分析证实,rN分期是淋巴结清扫数目不足15枚胃癌患者的独立预后因素(P=0.012,RR=1.617,95％CI:1.111～2.354).结论 rN分期能很好地对淋巴结清扫不足15枚胃癌患者的预后进行预测.     

Ⅱ期胃癌D2根治术淋巴结清扫数目与预后的关系

目的 研究Ⅱ期胃癌行D_2根治术检出淋巴结数目与患者预后的关系.方法 回顾性分析中山大学肿瘤防治中心1990年1月至2006年12月期间268例行胃癌D_2清扫术后按照日本胃癌协会（JGCA）第13版分期病理证实为Ⅱ期胃癌患者的临床资料.随访至2008年12月.结果 本组病例平均检出淋巴结（17.3±1.2）枚,其中淋巴结检出数低于15枚者109例,其1、3、5年生存率分别为92.7%、67.8%和50.9%;检出淋巴结数多于或等于15枚者159例,其1、3、5年生存率分别为96.9%、81.0%和66.4%;两组生存率比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0.003）.进一步分析显示.无淋巴结转移组（pN_0组）199例,其中检出淋巴结数目低于15枚者95例,其1、3、5年生存率分别为92.6%、70.4%和55.9%;多于或等于15枚者104例,其1、3、5年生存率分别为97.1%、84.4%和66.8%.两组生存率比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0.047）.而有淋巴结转移组（pN_1组）69例.其中检出淋巴结数目低于15枚者14例,其1、3、5年生存率分别为92.9%、57.1%和34.3%;多于或等于15枚者55例.其1、3、5年生存率分别为96.4%、73.4%和63.8%,两组生存率比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0.036）.结论 以日本胃癌协会（JGCA）第13版为标准的Ⅱ期胃癌患者,D_2根治术后淋巴结检出数目超过15枚者.其生存率优于低于15枚者.     

Lymph node staging in gastric cancer: is location more important than Number? An analysis of 1,038 patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of staging systems on the survival of 1,038 patients with gastric cancer undergoing resection for cure in a North American center. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In 1997, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer redefined N stage in gastric cancer. The number of involved nodes rather than their location defines N, and a minimum of 15 examined lymph nodes is recommended for adequate staging. In the 1988 AJCC N-staging system, N1 and N2 node metastases were defined as within 3 cm or more than 3 cm of the primary; the 1997 AJCC N stages were defined as N1 = 1 to 6 positive nodes, N2 = 7 to 15 positive nodes, and N3 = more than 15 positive nodes. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1999, 1,038 patients underwent an R0 resection. Median and 5-year survival rates were compared and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate median survival. RESULTS: The location of positive nodes did not significantly affect median survival when analyzed by the number of positive nodes. In contrast, the number of positive lymph nodes had a profound influence on survival. The new N categories served as a better discriminator of median survival when 15 or more nodes were examined. Survival estimates for stages II, IIIA, and IIIB were significantly influenced by examining 15 or more nodes. CONCLUSION: The number of positive nodes best defines the prognostic influence of metastatic lymph nodes in gastric cancer. Survival estimates based on the number of involved nodes are better represented when at least 15 nodes are examined.