Influence of the Number of Lymph Nodes Examined on the Prognosis of Patients with Dukes'''' B and C Colorectal Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To analyze the influence of the number of lymph nodes examined on the prognosis of Dukes' B and C colorectal cancer patients.METHODS The relationship between the clinicopathologic features of 373 patients with Dukes' B and C colorectal cancer and number of the lymph nodes examined was retrospectively analyzed.The effect of the different number of nodes examined on the prognosis of the patients was appraised RESULTS The overall mean number of retrieved lymph nodes of the 373 patients with Dukes' B and C colorectal cancer was 13.71±9.38.The site and size of the tumor as well as the depth of tumor infiltration were the major reasons which influenced the number of lymph nodes retrieved.The mean number of lymph nodes examined in the colon-cancer patients was 17.51± 12.79,which was significantly more than the 11.09±6.17(P = 0.000)exam-ined in the rectal-cancer patients.The 5-year survival rate of the patients with Dukes' B large intestinal carcinoma,with fewer lymph nodes retrieved(0 to 10),was only 60.4%,while those with more lymph node retrieved(≥10)had a 5-year survival of 77.5%.So there was a significant difference between the two groups.However the number of lymph nodes examined had no effect on prognosis of the patients with Dukes' C large intestinal carcinoma.Separate analysis of the colon and rectal cancers indicated that to improve the 5-year survival rate,the number of retrieved nodes in cases with rectal cancer should be at least 9,and with colon cancer cases at least 13.CONCLUSION In order to guarantee an accuracy of tumor staging for developing a possible postoperative treatment,at least 9 lymph nodes in rec-tal cancer patients or 13 in colon cancer patients should be harvested.     

Prognostic value of the lymph node ratio in stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer

The nodal stage of colorectal cancer is based on the number of positive nodes.It is inevitably affected by the number of removed lymph nodes,but lymph node ratio can be unaffected.We investigated the value of lymph node ratio in stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer in this study.The clinicopathologic factors and follow-up data of 145 cases of stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer between January 1998 and December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively.The Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to determine the correlation coefficient,the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival,and the Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis in forward stepwise regression.We found that lymph node ratio was not correlated with the number of removed lymph nodes(r =-0.154,P = 0.065),but it was positively correlated with the number of positive lymph nodes(r = 0.739,P 0.001) and N stage(r = 0.695,P 0.001).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that tumor configuration,intestinal obstruction,serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) concentration,T stage,N stage,and lymph node ratio were associated with disease-free survival of patients with stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer(P 0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that serum CEA concentration,T stage,and lymph node ratio were prognostic factors for disease-free survival(P 0.05),whereas N stage failed to achieve significance(P = 0.664).We confirmed that lymph node ratio was a prognostic factor in stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer and had a better prognostic value than did N stage.     

细胞角蛋白20检测对判断大肠癌淋巴结微转移的临床意义

Objective To study the significance of cytokeratin 20(CK20)in micrometastasis of lymph node of colorectal cancer.Methods The 331 lymph nodes in 47 cases with colorectal cancer by radical resection were collected from 2000 to 2007 in our Hospital.They were carried out CK20 immunohistochemical staining to determine the existence of micrometastasis,and all patients were followed up.Results The tumor cells in lymph nodes of colorectal cancer were found by CK20 immunohistochemistry and routine hematoxylin-eosin staining separately,but the positive rate had significant difference(P＜0.01).By CK20 immunohistochemistry,the micrometastasis positive rate was found significantly different between the sentinel lymph nodes and all the lymph nodes (P＜0.05).3-year mortality for the patients with lymph node micrometastasis was significantly higher than those without lymph node micrometastasis (P＜0.05).Conclusion The lymph node micrometastasis was an independent risk factor of influencing the survival time of the colorectal cancer patients.Examining the expression of CK20 by immunohistochemistry is an effective way of detecting colorectal cancer lymph node micrometastasis.     

The number of tumor-free axillary lymph nodes removed as a prognostic parameter for node-negative breast cancer

Recently, there has been controversy about the relationship between the number of lymph nodes removed and survival of patients diagnosed with lymph node-negative breast cancer. To assess this relationship, 603 cases of lymph node-negative breast cancer with a median of 126 months of follow-up data were studied. Patients were stratified into two groups（Group A, 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed; Group B, more than 10 tumor-free lymph nodes removed）. The number of tumor-free lymph nodes in ipsilateral axillary resections as well as 5 other disease parameters were analyzed for prognostic value. Our results revealed that the risk of death from breast cancer was significantly associated with patient age, marital status, histologic grade, tumor size, and adjuvant therapy. The 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients with 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed was 88.0% and 66.4%, respectively, compared with 69.2% and 51.1%, respectively, for patients with more than 10 tumor-free lymph nodes removed. For patients with 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed, the adjusted hazard ratio（HR） for risk of death from breast cancer was 0.579（95% confidence interval, 0.492-0.687, P 〈 0.001）, independent of patient age, marital status, histologic grade, tumor size, and adjuvant therapy. Our study suggests that the number of tumor-free lymph nodes removed is an independent predictor in cases of lymph node-negative breast cancer.     

A Study of the Number and Metastatic Status of Lymph Nodes Ressected During Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Surgery

OBJECTIVE To analyze the number and the metastatic status of lymph nodes resected during NSCLC surgery, and to determine the relationship of the lymph node status to the prognosis. METHODS Clinical data from 1,575 inpatient NSCLC cases were retrospectively reviewed, and the number and the different metastatic status of the LNs resected analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS Stage NO patients with 7 to 12 LNs resected during surgery had a significant increase in survival （P=0.001, 0.021）,compared to patients with less than 6 LNs or more than 12 LNs. Stage N1 or N2 patients with more than 12 LNs resected had a significant increase in survival（P=0.000 ,0.003）,compared with cases who had less than 6 LNs or 7 to 12 LNs resected.The 5-year survival rate of Stage NO patients was superior to Stage N1 and N2 patients （P =0.000,0.000）,and the 5-year survival rates of Stage N0 and skip N2 patients were superior to the continue N2 patients. Patients with a single station of LNs metastasis had a significant increase in survival （P=0.000）,compared with those with multiple stations of LNs metastasis. Patients with 1 to 2 metastatic LNs had a significant increase in survival （P=0.000）,compared with patients having more than 2 metastatic LNs.The metastatic LN ratio（percentage of metastatic lymph nodes resected） was divided into four subgroups： 〈25%, 25%～50%, 51%～75%, 〉 75%.The 5-year survival rate gradually decreased with an increase in the metastatic ratio. CONCLUSION For patients with NSCLC the number of LNs resected during surgery should be 7 to 12; the range and number of LN metastasis and the metastatic LN ratio significantly affect the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.     

SOME PROBLEMS IN THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF GASTRIC CANCER

Radical resections were performed in 177 cases of gastric cancer ( early cancer 31 cases and advanced cancer 146 cases). R1 operation was performed in 10 cases and R2 or R3 was in 167. All patients were followed up to the end of the study with the 5-year survival rate of 57. 6%. In the patients with normal serosa, cancer was often located in the mucosa. In such situation, R1 or R1 operation was advisiable. In the patients of reactive serosal types, the extent of operation should not be reduced. The serosa were often penetrated by cancer cells in diffusely infiltrated cancer, with a poor prognosis. If measures were not taken to destroy free cancer cells, the 5-year survival rate was very low inspite of radical operations. The number of lymph nodes metastasis was closely related to the biological behavior of primary cancer. Prognosis was good after R2 or R3 operation when the cancer was still within the gastric wall, Borrmann type 1,2,3 massive or nest growth patterns, and the number of lymph node metas     

Comparison of different lymph node staging systems in prognosis of gastric cancer: a bi-institutional study from Hungary

Objective:The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Node (N) classification is the most common used staging method for the prognosis of gastric cancer.It demands adequate,at least 16 lymph nodes (LNs) to be dissected;therefore different staging systems were invented.Methods:Between March 2005 and March 2010,164 patients were evaluated at the Department of General Surgery in the Ken(e)y Gyula Hospital and at the Department of General,Thoracic and Vascular Surgery in the Kaposi Mór Hospital.The 6th,7th and 8th UICC N-staging systems,the number of examined LNs,the number of harvested negative LNs,the metastatic lymph node ratio (MLR) and the log odds of positive LNs (LODDS) were determined to measure their 5-year survival rates and to compare them to each other.Results:The overall 5-year survival rate for all patents was 55.5％ with a median overall survival time of 102 months.The tumor stage,gender,UICC N-stages,MLR and the LODDS were significant prognostic factors for the 5-year survival with univariate analysis.The 6th UICC N-stage did not follow the adequate risk in comparing N2 vs.N0 and N3 vs.N0 with multivariate investigation.Comparison of performances of the residual N classifications proved that the LODDS system was first in the prediction of prognosis during the evaluation of all patents and in cases with less than 16 harvested LNs.The MLR gave the best prognostic prediction when adequate (more than or equal to 16) lymphadenectomy was performed.Conclusions:We suggest the application of LODDS system routinely in western patients and the usage of MLR classification in cases with extended lymphadenectomy.     

Prognostic relevance of number and ratio of metastatic lymph nodes in resected carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

Objectives： To explore the prognostic relevance of the number and ratio of metastatic lymph nodes in resected Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater （CAV）. Methods： The clinical data of 155 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy （PD） for cancer of the ampulla of Vater between January 1990 and December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan- Meier method was used in survival analysis and Log rank method in comparison. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model. Results： Among these 155 patients, the in-hospital mortality rate was 4.5%, lymph node positive disease was 21.3%, and the 5-year survival rate was 51.6%. Patients with a lymph node ratio （LNR） 〉20% were more likely to have tumor differentiation, depth of duodenal involvement, depth of pancreatic invasion, T-stage and TNM-Stage. The number of the metastatic lymph nodes is important prognostic factors of the CAV. Univariate analysis showed that the factors associated with the prognosis included tumor size （P=0.036）, tumor differentiation （P=0.019）, LNR （P=0.032）, mtmber of metastatic lymph nodes （P=0.024）, lymph node metastasis （P=0.03）, depth of pancreatic invasion （P=0.001）, T-stage （P=0.002）, TNM stage （P=0.001）, elevated CA 19-9 （P=0.000）, and jaundice （P=0.021）. Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with the prognosis were the number of metastatic lymph nodes （P=0.032; RR： 1.283; 95% CI： 1.022-1.611）, tumor size （P=0.043; RR： 1.736; 95% CI： 1.017-2.963）, and elevated CA 19-9 （P=0.003; RR： 3.247; 95% CI： 1.504-7.010）. Conclusions： LNR is a useful factor for predicting the prognosis of the radical treatment for CAV,, whereas the number of metastatic lymph nodes is the most important factor. Further research on the locations, number, and LNR will be clinically meaningful to improve survival in patients with CAV.     

Operable Breast Cancer： a Clinical Analysis of 6,263 Cases

OBJECTIVE In Europe and America breast cancer commonly occurs in women of middle and old age, with a median age of about 57 years. Modified radical mastectomy now called standard radical mastectomy, has taken the place of traditional radical mastectomy. Patients with breast cancer at an early stage commonly receive BCT (breast conservative therapy). The TNM stage (especially the lymph node status) affects the prognosis, and adjuvant therapy can improve survival. In China, only a few reports have been pubIished studying large numbers of breast cancer patients. This study was designed to analyze the clinical features, surgical pattern and treatment outcome of resectable breast cancer, as well as to explore the prognostic factors and the effect of adjuvant therapy, with a goal to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment.METHODS Records of the 6,263 patients with resectable breast cancer who had been admitted into our hospital from June 1964 to June 2003 were analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS Of the 6,263 cases, 98.8% were female. Breast cancer occurred most frequently in patients of ages 40～49 years (41.0%), especially in patients 45～49 years old (25.2%). A breast lump, which occurred in 96.2% of the patients, was the main clinical manifestation. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 75.16% and 40.44%. Of the patients in TNM stages 0-1,Ⅱ, and Ⅲ, the 5-year survival rates were 96.8%, 73.7% and 46.4% respectively and the 10-year survival rates were 78.7%, 64.6% and 33.5% respectively. The 5-, and 10-year survival rates were higher in the lymph node negative group than in the lymph node positive group (80.3% vs. 55.6%, and 59.2% vs. 31.9%, P＜0.01). Since the 1980s there was no significant difference in survival rates of patients who received a radical mastectomy compared to a modified radical mastectomy(P＞0.05). Of the 73 patients who underwent breast conservative therapy, no local recurrence or metastasis occurred during a maximal follow-up of 17 years. Of the patients in stage T2T4, the 5-, and 10-year survival rates were significantly higher in the group treated with adjuvant chemotherapy compared to the non-chemotherapy group (78.2% vs. 60.1%, and 48.9% vs. 30.7%, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION According to our data, breast cancer most frequently occurred in patients of ages 45～49 years. The TNM stage (especially the lymph node status) relates to breast cancer prognosis. The prognosis was worse in patients with positive lymph nodes compared to the patients with negative lymph nodes. The efficacy of a modified radical mastectomy is equal to that of a radical mastectomy, and breast conservative therapy can be applied to patients in an early stage. Adjuvant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy can improve the survival of resectable breast cancer patients.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

胸段食管癌切除术患者的预后分析

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors and influence of the number of lymph node metastases on survival and UICC-TNM classification in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer after curative resection. Methods From 1985 to 1990, 1224 patients were surgically treated for thoracic esophageal cancer. The patients who died within 30 days after operation were not included in this study. Fifteen factors possibly influencing survival of these patients were selected and analyzed. A multivariate analysis of these individual variables was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. According to the n, mher of lymph node metastases (0, 1 and ≥ 2), a new modification of the TNM classification was suggested: stage Ⅱ a (T2N0M0 and T3N0M0), stage Ⅱb [T1N1M0 and T2N1 (1) M0], stage Ⅲ a [T2N1 (2)M0 and T3N1 (1)M0] and stage Ⅲ b [T3N1 (2)M0 and T4NanyMO]. Results According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases, depth of invasion, location of tumor, histological classification and length of the tumor were of prognostic significance (P < 0.01). There was obvious correlation between the rate of lymph node metastasis and the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with 0, 1 and ≥2 positive metastatic lymph nodes was 59.1%, 32.0% and 8.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with stage T2N1M0 and stage T3N1M0 was significantly higher in those with only one lymph node involved than in those with two or more lymph nodes involved (43.1% vs. 18.0% and 28.0% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate of the modified stage Ⅱa, Ⅱb, Ⅲa and Ⅲb was56.5%, 43.9%, 25.6% and 11.1%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among different stages (P < 0. 01). Conclusion The lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor for thoracic esophageal cancer after resection. The major influencing factors of lymph node metastasis are the depth of invasion, length of tumor and grade of differentiation. Therefore, the lymphadenectomy along with esophngectomy and subsequently combined modality therapy against lymph node metastasis is necessary to improve the S-year survival rate. Our proposed new classification based on number of lymph node metastases (0, 1, ≥2 positive nodes) is more applicable because it can well reflect the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the survival, and provides evidence for the modification of the currently used UICC TNM staging system for surgically treated thoracic esophageal cancer.     

Clinico-pathological significance of extra-nodal spread in special types of breast cancer

Objective： To investigate the significance of extra-nodal spread in special histological sub-types of breast cancer and the relationship of such spread with prognostic parameters.Methods： A total of 303 breast cancer cases were classified according to tumor type, and each tumor group was subdivided according to age, tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, extra-nodal spread, vein invasion in the adjacent soft tissue, distant metastasis, and immunohistochemical characteristics [estrogen receptor（ER）, progesterone receptor（PR） existence, p53, c-erbB-2, and proliferative rate（Ki-67）]. The 122 cases with extra-nodal spread were clinically followed up.Results： An extra-nodal spread was observed in 40%（122 cases） of the 303 breast cancer cases. The spread most frequently presented in micro papillary carcinoma histological sub-type（40 cases, 75%）, but least frequently presents in mucinous carcinoma（2 cases, 8%）. Patients with extra-nodal spread had a high average number of metastatic lymph nodes（8.3） and a high distant metastasis rate（38 cases, 31%） compared with patients without extra-nodal spread.Conclusion： The existence of extra-nodal spread in the examined breast cancer sub-types has predictive value in forecasting the number of metastatic lymph nodes and the disease prognosis.