title: Mean and long-term results of the surgical treatment of early gastric cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interest in the diagnosis and treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC) has been steadily increasing due to the high 5-year survival rate which can reach 85-100% after curative resection. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical and histologic characteristics as well as the results of 45 patients undergoing surgical resection for EGC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1998 and 2004, 45 patients, 14 females and 31 males with a mean age of 60.2+/-15 years (range: 31-85) were recruited. Subtotal gastrectomy was performed in 28 (62.2%) patients and total gastrectomy in 17 (37.3%). D1 and D2 resections were performed in 36 and 9 patients, respectively. The carcinoma was limited to the mucosa in 26 (57.8%) patients and extended into the submucosa in 19 (42.2%). Lymph node invasion occurred in 4 (8.8%) patients. Mean follow-up was 36 months (range: 3-63). Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis of clinic and histologic factors was performed to identify predictive factors for survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 85% and there was no postoperative mortality. Statistical analysis did not demonstrate any significant statistical relationship between survival and parietal penetration (P = 0.67) or superficial extension (P = 0.38) of the tumor. Survival was clearly influenced (P < 0.001) by lymph node involvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prognosis of EGC is usually excellent but can be influenced by the presence of lymph node metastases.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Eccellenza per L'Innovazione Tecnologica in Chirurgia Dipartimento di Chirurgia Generale, Geriatrica Oncologica ed Endoscopia Diagnostica e Terapeutica Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Palma
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Persico
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rega
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Simeoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Persico