Extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer. Is it of value?

The value of extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer has not been clearly defined. The incidence, staging, and, possibly, the biology of gastric carcinoma in Japanese and Western confound the evaluations of radical lymph node dissection. Surgeons and pathologists must be familiar with the unified international gastric cancer staging system, and careful attention should be given to accurate identification and rigorous examination of regional lymph nodal groups.