Modified radical lymphadenectomy without splenectomy in patients with proximal gastric cancer: comparison with standard D2 lymphadenectomy for distal gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the optimal extent of lymph node dissection and the effect of splenectomy in patients with proximal gastric cancer.


METHODS
Recurrence and survival rates were compared between 881 patients with proximal gastric cancer who underwent modified radical lymphadenectomy and 3,098 patients with distal gastric cancer who underwent standard D2 lymphadenectomy.


RESULTS
The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the total than in the distal gastrectomy group (32.5% vs. 16.5%, P < 0.001), but the rates were similar after adjustment for TNM stage. The overall 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the distal than in the total gastrectomy group (80.4% vs. 66.2%, P < 0.001), but this difference was not observed after adjustment for TNM stage. Multivariate analysis showed that patient age, number of retrieved lymph nodes, depth of invasion, and nodal metastasis were independent prognostic determinants for survival, whereas type of lymphadenectomy was not.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term outcomes were similar in patients with proximal gastric cancer who underwent modified lymphadenectomy without splenectomy and in patients with distal gastric cancer who underwent standard D2 lymphadenectomy. These findings indicate that modified radical lymphadenectomy without splenectomy is sufficient for optimal lymph node dissection in patients with proximal gastric cancer.
Cheong
Oh
O
Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University College of Medicine, Hwasun Cancer Center, Gwangju, Korea.
Kim
Byung Sik
BS
Yook
Jeong Hwan
JH
Oh
Sung Tae
ST
Park
Young Kyu
YK
Ryu
Seong Yeop
SY
D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013156:Splenectomy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*