[Relationship between the dissected lymph node number and the prognosis in D(2) gastrectomy for gastric cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between the dissected lymph-node number and the prognosis in D(2) gastrectomy for gastric cancer.


METHODS
From January 1996 to January 2005, 457 patients with primary gastric cancer undergone gastrectomy with different extent of lymphadenectomy in our hospital were followed-up in term of prognostic benefit.


RESULTS
In lymph-node metastasis group, the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 82.4%, 49.0%, 33.4% with dissection of >20 nodes and 71.5%, 49.7%, 40.1% with dissection of 16-20 nodes. In the group without lymph-node metastasis, the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 98.2%, 92.7%, 84.7% with dissection of >20 nodes and 94.0%, 89.7%, 81.4% with dissection of 16-20 nodes. Whether or not it had lymph-node metastasis, the survival curve failed to show any significant difference with regard to the extent of lymph node dissection.


CONCLUSIONS
As to lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer, it is enough to excise the lymph node between 16 and 20. The number of excised lymph node should not be overemphasized unless it is metastasized.
Liang
Han
H
Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Xue
Qiang
Q
Zhang
Ru-Peng
RP
Hao
Xi-Shan
XS
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*