Prediction of lymph node metastasis by size of early gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Tumor size requires more investigation as a factor in determining extent of regional lymph node dissection in early gastric carcinoma. We retrospectively investigated 573 patients with such tumors to identify predictors of lymph node metastasis.

METHODOLOGY

Postoperative survival was examined for groups of patients defined by tumor size under 2 cm, between 2 and 4cm, and over than 4cm. Factors predicting tumor recurrence and regional lymph node metastasis also were determined.

RESULTS

Postoperative survival of patients with tumors larger than 4 cm was significantly worsethan that of patients with tumors smaller than 2 cm. Multivariate analysis identified lymph node metastasis as a significant risk factor for recurrence of early gastric carcinoma, while identifying primary tumor size and lymphatic vessel involvement as significant risk factors for lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymph node metastasis, which increased risk of postoperative recurrence in early gastric carcinoma, was related to tumor size.