A comparison of the prognostic significance between the number of metastatic lymph nodes and nodal stage in gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To clarify what staging system of lymph node metastasis is suitable for evaluating prognosis of gastric cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed the survival 5 years after operation of 186 advanced gastric cancer patients who underwent potentially curative gastric resection. The following 3 systems were compared using multivariate analyses by the logistic regression model. Nodal status in pathology was classified as follows: (a) nodal stage according to the General Rules for the Gastric Cancer Study of the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer (the Japanese Rules), (b) number of metastatic nodes according to the new UICC staging system (the TNM system), (c) number of metastatic nodes in n1 group of the Japanese Rules (the new classification). RESULTS: The TNM system revealed better results than the nodal stage in sensitivity and -2 log likelihood. The new classification revealed the best result among the 3 systems in sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and -2 log likelihood. CONCLUSIONS: The TNM system is a better prognostic factor than the nodal stage in the Japanese Rules, and the new classification is the best prognostic factor of the above 3 systems in potentially curative advanced gastric cancer patients. Furthermore, the new classification might be useful in comparing data between some facilities.     

Lymph node staging in colorectal cancer:Old controversies and recent advances

Outcome prediction based on tumor stage reflected by the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control(UICC)tumor node metastasis(TNM)system is currently regarded as the strongest prognostic parameter for patients with colorectal cancer.For affected patients,the indication for adjuvant therapy is mainly guided by the presence of regional lymph node metastasis.In addition to the extent of surgical lymph node removal and the thoroughness of the pathologist in dissecting the resection specimen,several parameters that are related to the pathological work-up of the dissected nodes may affect the clinical significance of lymph node staging.These include changing definitions of lymph nodes,involved lymph nodes,and tumor deposits in different editions of the AJCC/UICC TNM system as well as the minimum number of nodes to be dissected.Methods to increase the lymph node yield in the fatty tissue include methylene blue injection and acetone compression.Outcome prediction based on the lymph node ratio,defined as the number of positive lymph nodes divided by the total number of retrieved nodes,may be superior to the absolute numbers of involved nodes.Extracapsular invasion has been identified as additional prognostic factor.Adding step sectioning and immunohistochemistry to the pathological work-up may result in higher accuracy of histological diagnosis.The clinical value of more recent technical advances,such as sentinel lymph node biopsy and molecular analysis of lymph nodes tissue still remains to be defined.     

Morphological predictors of survival in colorectal carcinoma: Univariate and multivariate analysis

Summary In 150 curative resected adenocarcinomas of the large bowel we analyzed the morphological parameters of the primary tumor and lymph node involvement which most efficiently expressed the relationship to survival time. Using univariate survival analysis (product limit estimator according Kaplan-Meier), several macroscopical and microscopical parameters of the primary tumor and lymph node involvement significantly correlated with survival time. A multivariate survival analysis of covariates according to the Cox regression model revealed that the significant correlations of all these parameters were expressed by a set of five variables: pT stage, number of inflammatory cells, sex, age, and pN stage. As shown by the Kaplan-Meier test, this set of variables allowed a more precise prediction of survival time than mere staging according to the TNM system. Parametric multiple stepwise survival analysis was inefficient. No distinct relationship was found between the morphology of the primary tumor and the involvement of lymph nodes.Supported by BMFT (Bonn) TNM 009 (grading)     

The prognostic value of lymph node ratio and updated TNM classification in rectal cancer patients with adequate versus inadequate lymph node dissection

Background

The aim of this study was to clarify whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is superior to the updated TNM classification regarding the prognosis of stage III rectal cancer patients who have not undergone neoadjuvant therapy. The TNM system is based on the absolute number of lymph nodes involved, and the LNR takes into account involved and examined nodes.

Methods

In 237 patients with stage III rectal cancer, we evaluated prognostic factors for 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and risk of distant metastases (DM) using the Kaplan–Meier method, with patients divided based on adequate versus inadequate lymph node dissection (≥12 vs. <12 lymph nodes examined). The updated TNM divides patients into four groups (1, 2–3, 4–6, and ≥7 involved nodes), while LNR divides patients into quartiles. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed.

Results

Among patients with adequate lymph node dissection, the distributions within the two systems were in agreement in 141/178 (79.2 %, kappa 0.721), and the predictive values for OS, DFS, and DM were similar. In patients with inadequate lymph node dissection, the classifications of both systems were concordant in only 13/59 (22 %, kappa 0.021). The pN system significantly under-staged patients, while the LNR classification was a better predictor of OS, DFS, and DM.

Conclusions

In patients with adequate lymph node dissection, LNR staging does not add substantial information to the predictions of updated TNM lymph node staging. However, in patients with inadequate lymph node harvesting, the LNR compensates for the under-staging of the TNM classification and provides a better estimation of prognosis than the updated TNM system.     

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography in preoperative TNM staging of gastric cancer

AIM:To evaluate the value of endoscopic ultrasono-graphy (EUS) in the preoperative TNM staging of gastriccancer.METHODS :Forty-one patients with gastric cancer(12 early stage and 29 advanced stage) provedby esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsiespreoperatively evaluated with EUS according to TNM(1997) classification of International Union ContreleCancer (UICC).Pentax EG-3630U/Hitachi EUB-525 echoendoscope with real-time ultrasound imaging linearscanning transducers (7.5 and 5.0 MHz) and Dopplerinformation was used in the current study.EUS stagingprocedures for tumor depth of invasion (T stage) wereperformed according to the widely accepted five-layerstructure of the gastric wall.All patients underwentsurgery.Diagnostic accuracy of EUS for TNM stagingof gastric cancer was determined by comparingpreoperative EUS with subsequent postoperativehistopathologic findings.RESULTS:The overall diagnostic accuracy of EUS inpreoperative determination of cancer depth of invasionwas 68.3% (41128) and 83.3% (12110),60% (20112),100% (5/5),25% (4/1) for T1,T2,T3,and T4,respectively.The rates for overstaging and understagingwere 24.4% (41/10),and 7.3% (41/3),respectively.EUStended to overstage T criteria,and main reasons foroverstaging were thickening of the gastric wall due toperifocal inflammatory change,and absence of serosallayer in certain areas of the stomach.The diagnosticaccuracy of metastatic lymph node involvement or Nstaging of EUS was 100% (17/17) for NO and 41.7%(24/10) for N ,respectively,and 66% (41/27) overall. Misdiagnosing of the metastatic lymph nodes was relatedto the difficulty of distinguishing inflammatory lymphnodes from malignant lymph nodes,which imitate similarecho features.Predominant location and distribution oftumors in the stomach were in the antrum (20 patients),and the lesser curvature (17 patients),respectively.Three cases were found as surgically unresectable (T4 N ),and included as being correctly diagnosed by EUS.     

A critical evaluation of effectivity of extended lymphadenectomy in patients with carcinoma of the stomach

Summary The therapeutic benefit of extended lymphade-nectomy in patients with gastric cancer is not generally accepted. We therefore analyzed the data of 82 patients with total gastrectomy and extended lymphadenectomy (compartment I: lymph nodes 1–6 and compartment II: lymph nodes 7–11) from 1979 to 1986 (GL group) for morbidity, mortality and survival and compared these with the results of a historical control group of 81 patients from 1971 to 1986 (group G), who similarly had undergone total gastrectomy but only compartment-I lymphadenectomy (lymph nodes 1–6). The 30-day operative mortality in the GL group was 6% (5/82), which was no higher than that of the control group (9.5%, 4/42) during the same observation period (1979–1986). The comparison of the actuarial survival according to the old TNM system (UICC 1978) in both groups showed no significant difference: stages I and II P=0.22, stage IIIP=0.29, all curative cases (stages I+II+III)P=0.12. In addition, the patients of the GL group were restaged according to the new TNM system (UICC 1987). The calculated 5-year survival rate in this group was: stage I, 89%; stage II, 64%; stage III, 21%; curative total (stages I+II+III), 62%; stage IV, 0%. All patients (n=12) with involvement and dissection of lymph nodes of compartment II died within 38 months. Only two of these patients (17%) had a potentially curative operation. Our results indicate that compartment-II lymph node dissection did not influence the operative mortality or the prognosis compared with compartment-I lymphadenectomy. Since patients with positive lymph nodes in compartment II did not benefit from the extended lymph node dissection of this area, obviously because of systemic spread, the question of the effectiveness of the extended lymphadenectomy remains unresolved.     

Prognostic value of the modified TNM (Izumi) classification of hepatocellular carcinoma in 53 cirrhotic patients undergoing resection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies have assessed the significance of prognostic factors in cirrhotic patients undergoing resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: Overall survival and disease-free survival were evaluated in 53 cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatic resection for supervening hepatocellular carcinoma. The value of the UICC TNM classification, and the Izumi modified staging system on prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis lack of micro/macrovascular invasion were predictive for long-term outcome. The difference between stages 1 and 2 or stage 3 and 4A using the UICC TNM classification was not significant with respect to survival or disease-free survival. UICC TNM classification was modified as follows; stage 1, solitary tumor without vascular invasion; stage 2, solitary or multiple tumor(s) involving adjacent vessel branch; stage 3, tumor(s) involving major vessel branch or with regional lymph node metastases; stage 4, tumor(s) with distant metastases. TNM (modified in accordance with Izumi) showed a significant difference between each stage with respect to survival and disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: A uniform tumor classification of hepatocellular carcinoma is advocated. Our results show that the UICC TNM classification for hepatocellular carcinoma is inadequate and may even on occasion lead to unnecessary resection. The modified staging system of Izumi is superior in determining outcome for cirrhotic patients with supervening hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing resection.     

Perigastric lymph nodes with metastasis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We analyzed the significance of metastasis to the subdivided perigastric lymph node stations according to the distance from the primary gastric cancer, and the appropriateness of the recent change in the Union Internacional Contra la Cancrum (UICC) tumor node metastasis (TNM) system. METHODOLOGY: Gastrectomy was performed in 753 patients with gastric cancer. The perigastric lymph nodes were divided into 6 stations according to the Japanese classification. These were subdivided into 2 categories according to the distance from the primary tumor: -1, nodes within 3 cm of the edge of the tumor; and -2, nodes more than 3 cm from the edge of the tumor. Survival rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference between each group was evaluated by the log-rank method. RESULTS: The frequency of metastasis to the subdivided perigastric lymph node stations, numbered 1-1 to 6-2, varied between 10.0% and 41.1%. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with positive 6-1 lymph node was higher than that of the patients with positive 6-2 lymph node (31.5% and 17.5%, P = 0.0032). There were no statistically significant differences in survival between subgroups of patients who had metastatic lymph node in the other 5 stations. The frequency of metastasis to other regional lymph nodes in patients with N2 perigastric lymph nodes was higher than that in patients with N1 perigastric lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Subdivision of the perigastric lymph nodes had little advantage. Elimination of the old system of classifying perigastric lymph nodes according to distance from the tumor is appropriate.     

Perigastric lymph node status can be a simple prognostic parameter in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The number of metastatic lymph nodes has been a significant prognostic factor after curative resection of gastric cancer and adopted as a new UICC classification of nodal stages in gastric cancer. The extent of lymphadenectomy is another significant factor but has been fiercely debated. Regardless of the type of lymphadenectomy, perigastric lymph node dissection is always carried out. In this study, we examined whether the number of metastatic perigastric nodes can be a prognostic indicator of gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: For the purpose of evaluating perigastric lymph node status, a retrospective study was carried out with 760 patients who underwent curative gastric resection from June 1994 to November 1998. RESULTS: The 4-year cumulative survival rate was 64% and the survival rate decreased significantly when the number of positive perigastric nodes exceeded 3. Comparing with the patients having 0-2 positive perigastric nodes, patients whose metastatic perigastric lymph nodes exceeded 3 or more exhibited deeper tumor invasion, larger tumor size and older age. Multivariate analysis identified the number of positive perigastric nodes, together with depth of tumor invasion, as the strongest independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the number of metastatic perigastric nodes can be used as a simple prognostic parameter in patients with gastric cancer and that intensive follow-up and adjuvant chemotherapy should be recommended for the patients with more than 3 metastatic perigastric nodes.     

Clinicopathologic factors correlated with number of metastatic lymph nodes in oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: The number of metastatic lymph nodes is applied to the staging system of gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. However, it has not been evaluated in oesophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 258 patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus between February 1981 and December 1999, 160 underwent three-field oesophagectomy with a curative intent. Clinicopathologic characteristics of those 160 patients were retrospectively investigated according to the number of metastatic lymph nodes. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients had no lymph node metastases and 82 (51.3%) had lymph node metastases; 51 [31.9%)] had between 1 and 4 positive lymph nodes, and 31 (19.4%) had > or =5. The number of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly correlated with tumour size, macroscopic classification, histological differentiation, pT, pN, and vessel invasions. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph vessel invasion (relative risk 12.6), histological differentiation (relative risk 4.2), and tumour size (relative risk 3.8) were independent factors correlated with number of metastatic lymph nodes. The number of metastatic lymph nodes was also well correlated with the Japanese nodal level and TNM stage, respectively (p<0.001). The 5-year disease-specific survival rate according to the number of positive lymph nodes was 90% for patients without lymph node metastases, 52.2% with 1-4, and 28.9% with > or =5, respectively, p<0. 0001; 0 vs 1-4, p<0.05; 1-4 vs > or =5). CONCLUSION: The number of positive lymph nodes is well correlated with tumour progression and provides a useful prognostic indicator after oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer.     

Morphological predictors of survival in early and advanced gastric carcinoma

Summary In 351 patients with gastric carcinomas resected for cure, the relationship between macroscopic and microscopic features and survival was studied by univariate and multivariate analyses. In the multivariate survival analysis with covariates according to the Cox regression model, in early cancer all significant correlations to survival rate are covered by the stage grouping according to the UICC schedule of 1987. In advanced gastric carcinoma the UICC stage and, in addition, the Borrmann type and the intensity of cellular infiltration are effective. By additional consideration of these two variables an extended pathological staging schedule is proposed. It has the advantage of better discrimination between patients who differ in prognosis and seems to improve the prognostic prediction of outcome. Testing of this extended staging system in larger collectives is recommended.This study was performed in conjunction with the German Gastric Cancer TNM Study Group and supported by the German Ministery of Science and Technology (BMFT) (no 0701908)     

Prognostic assessment of different metastatic lymph node staging methods for gastric cancer after D2 resection

AIM: To compare the prognostic assessment of lymph node ratio and absolute number based staging system for gastric cancer after D2 resection. METHODS: The clinical, pathologic, and long-term follow-up data of 427 patients with gastric cancer that underwent D2 curative gastrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The relationships between the metastatic lymph node ratio (MLR), log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), and positive lymph nodes (pN) staging methods and the long-term prognoses of the patients were compared. In addition, the survival curves, accuracy, and homogeneity were compared with stratification to evaluate the prognostic assessment of the 3 methods when the number of tested lymph nodes was insufficient (< 10 and 10-15). RESULTS: MLR [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.401, P = 0.012], LODDS (HR = 1.012,P = 0.034), and pN (HR = 1.376, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for gastric cancer patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the prognostic accuracy of the 3 methods was comparable (P > 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis confirmed that MLR, LODDS, and pN were all positively correlated with the total number of tested lymph nodes. When the number of tested lymph node was < 10, the value of survival curves staged by MLR and LODDS was superior to those of pN staging. However, the difference in survival curves between adjacent stages was not significant. In addition, the survival rate of stage 4 patients using the MLR and LODDS staging methods was 26.7% and 27.3% with < 10 lymph node, respectively which were significantly higher than the survival rate of patients with > 15 tested lymph nodes (< 4%). The ROC curve showed that the accuracy of the prognostic assessment of MLR, LODDS, and pN staging methods was comparable (P > 0.05), and the area under the ROC curve of all 3 methods were increased progressively with the enhanced levels of examined lymph nodes. In addition, the homogeneity of the 3 methods in patients with ≤ 15 tested lymph nodes also showe     

Prognostic value of lymph node staging in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The latest TNM classification (5th edition) changed the definition of nodal staging from the anatomical localization to the total number of metastatic lymph nodes. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the prognostic significance of nodal staging between the two widely known staging systems, the TNM classification (TNM) and Japanese Classification for Gastric Cancer (JCGC). METHODOLOGY: A total of 582 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer were reviewed retrospectively from hospital records. Based on the localization of metastatic nodes according to the JCGC and the total positive node number according to TNM, the patients were divided into subgroups and their prognoses compared. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis was found in 189 of the 582 patients (32.5%). Both nodal staging systems were found to be significant prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. A prognostic analysis of the patients by subdivision with the two staging systems indicated that the nodal staging system in TNM was more homogenous than that of the JCGC. CONCLUSIONS: The nodal staging system of the TNM classification is superior to that of the Japanese Classification of Gastric Cancer, because it is simple, reproducible and homogeneous.     

结直肠癌患者癌结节分期方法的初步研究

目的寻找更恰当的癌结节分期方法。 方法采用回顾性分析方法,收集2007年3月1日至2009年12月31日云南省肿瘤医院（昆明医科大学第三附属医院）大肠癌科收治的经病理学证实并行肠癌根治手术的原发性结直肠癌患者的临床资料和生存资料,进行统计分析。 结果淋巴结转移患者在癌结节阳性时的预后明显差于无癌结节患者（51.3% vs 74.9%,P=0.007）。多因素分析发现癌结节、术后辅助化疗是影响淋巴结转移结直肠癌患者总生存期的独立危险因素(P<0.05）;将癌结节纳入淋巴结转移计数后形成新nN分期和TNM分期（nN）中各分期有明显的预后差异（P<0.05）。多因素分析发现TNM分期（nN）仍是结直肠癌患者的预后影响因素,而第七版TNM分期已不是;将癌结节阳性患者按照癌结节检出1个、2个、3个为临界值分别分为两组,并比较两组患者的预后差异,结果只有按癌结节（tumor deposits,TD）=1来分组两组具有显著的预后差异（31.2% vs 61%,P=0.018）。 结论在淋巴结转移患者中第七版癌结节分期方法并不恰当,将癌结节纳入转移淋巴结计数形成的TNM分期评估预后的价值优于七版TNM分期标准,且较七版TNM分期标准更简化。     

Lymph node ratio-based staging system for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To analyze a modified staging system utilizing lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).METHODS: Clinical data of 2011 patients with ESCC who underwent surgical resection alone between January 1995 and June 2010 at the Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College were reviewed. The LNR, or node ratio (Nr) was defined as the ratio of metastatic LNs ompared to the total number of resected LNs. Overall survival between groups was compared with the log-rank test. The cutoff point of LNR was established by grouping patients with 10% increment in Nr, and then combining the neighborhood survival curves using the log-rank test. A new TNrM staging system, was constructed by replacing the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N categories with the Nr categories in the new TNM staging system. The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the seventh edition AJCC staging system and the TNrM staging system.RESULTS: The median number of resected LNs was 12 (range: 4-44), and 25% and 75% interquartile rangeswere8 and 16. Patients were classified into four Nr categories with distinctive survival differences (Nr0: LNR = 0; Nr1: 0% < LNR ≤ 10%; Nr2: 10% < LNR ≤ 20%; and Nr3: LNR > 20%). From N categories to Nr categories, 557 patients changed their LN stage. The median survival time (MST) for the four Nr categories (Nr0-Nr3) was 155.0 mo, 39.0 mo, 28.0 mo, and 19.0 mo, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival was 61.1%, 41.1%, 33.0%, and 22.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). Overall survival was significantly different for the AJCC N categories when patients were subgrouped into 15 or more vs fewer than 15 examined nodes, except for the N3 category (P = 0.292). However, overall survival was similar when the patients in all four Nr categories were subgrouped into 15 or more vs fewer than 15 nodes. Using the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic, we found that the Nr category and TNrM stage had higher accuracy in predicting survival than the AJCC N category and TNM stage.CONCLUSION: A staging system based on LNR may have better prognostic stratification of patients with ESCC than the current TNM system, especially for those undergoing limited lymphadenectomy.     

Correlation of tumor-positive ratio and number of perigastric lymph nodes with prognosis of patients with surgically-removed gastric carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the tumor-positive ratio and number of perigastric lymph nodes as prognostic factors of gastric carcinoma in surgically-treated patients. METHODS: The postoperative survival of 169 patients with gastric cancer who were performed D2 curative gastrectomy was analyzed with regard to its lymph node metastasis ratio and number. Meanwhile correlation of tumor-positive ratio and number of perigastric lymph nodes with pathological parameters of these patients was studied. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate of all the patients studied was 29.6%. The 5-year cumulative survival rate in patients with 1%-20% and more than 20% of tumor-positive lymph nodes was 70.6% and 12.0% respectively, and 46.6% and 17.4% in those with 1-5 and more than 5 of tumor-positive lymph nodes respectively, which were significantly decreased with the increment of involved lymph nodes assessed by either numbers or ratio (P<0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that both the positive ratio and number of tumor-involved lymph nodes were sensitive prognostic factors in these surgically-treated patients, which were also significantly correlated with tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tumor-positive ratio and number of perigastric lymph nodes are associated with cancer progression and five-year survival rate, and may serve as valuable prognostic factors of gastric cancer in surgically-treated patients.     

Preoperative evaluation of gastric cancer by endoscopic ultrasound.

The preoperative use of endoscopic ultrasound was evaluated in 74 patients with confirmed gastric cancer. It was used in diagnosing the depth of invasion in the gastric wall, the infiltration to the adjacent organs, and the involvement of the perigastric lymph nodes. Results were compared with histological findings in resected specimens. Accuracy in staging gastric cancer using the T grade of the 1987 TNM system was 81.1% (60 of 74 patients). Endoscopic ultrasound provided excellent results compared with computed tomography and conventional ultrasound, particularly in evaluating perigastric lymph node metastasis and direct infiltration to the adjacent organs. The success rate in detecting lymph node metastasis was 50% (11 of 22 patients); the accuracy in diagnosing direct infiltration to the adjacent organs was 60% (three of five patients). This technique is useful in diagnosing malignant invasion and lymph node metastasis of gastric carcinomas but requires further refinement for use in diagnosing the disease itself. Its preoperative use is recommended for establishing surgical and other treatment plans, as well as in predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer.     

Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical markers after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to verify the classic clinicopathological prognostic factors of the expected survival, to determine the frequency of immunohistochemical factors (C-erB-2, p53) and to verify these immunohistochemical factors in their function as prognostic factors in gastric cancer patients after a potentially curative gastric resection. METHODOLOGY: In 78 gastric cancer patients after a potentially curative resection the clinicopathological factors (age, general performance of the patient, tumor diameter, TNM stage, stage according to UICC, type of operation and the extent of lymphadenectomy) and immunohistochemical factors (p53 and C-erB-2) were analyzed. RESULTS: In univariate analysis ASA stage of general performance, size of tumor, TNM stage and stage according to UICC exert significant influence on the median survival. Median survival is higher in patients with C-erB-2 negative reaction and in those with p53 positive reaction, although not significant. In patients with tumor located in proximal two thirds, patients with negative reaction to C-erB-2 have a significantly higher median survival than patients with positive reaction to C-erB-2. The Cox regression model reveals ASA stage and UICC classification to be significant factors whereas immunohistochemical parameters C-erB-2 and p53 do not reveal any significance in the multivariate survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study the ASA stage and UICC classification influence the expected survival of potentially radically resected gastric cancer patients significantly, while immunohistochemical parameters C-erB-2 and p53 do not.