Early gastric cancer with signet-ring cell histologic type: risk factors of lymph node metastasis and indications of endoscopic surgery.
BACKGROUND
To clarify the biologic behavior of the early signet-ring cell cancers (SRCs) by comparing the clinicopathologic features and the incidence of lymph node metastasis between different histologic types of early gastric cancer (EGC) and to propose the indications of endoscopic surgery for SRCs.


METHODS
Clinicopathologic features and the incidence of lymph node metastasis of 422 EGCs were retrospectively reviewed and compared according to the histologic type.


RESULTS
Clinicopathologic features, incidence of node metastasis, prognosis, as well as the incidence of recurrence for SRCs, were similar to those of differentiated cancers (DCs), however, significantly different from those of undifferentiated cancers (UDCs). Tumor size, histologic type, lymphatic and/or blood vessel invasion (LBVI), and depth of invasion were independent factors predicting node metastasis for EGCs. For DCs and SRCs with mucosal invasion and ≤ 2 cm in diameter without LBVI, no metastatic lymph node was detected (95% CI, 0-5.0). Also, for DCs and SRCs with mucosal invasion and >2 cm in diameter without LBVI, or with submucosal invasion and ≤ 2 cm in diameter without LBVI, no metastatic lymph node was detected (95% CI, 0-3.0).


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicopathologic features of SRCs were similar with DCs, but different from other UDCs. Consequently, the treatment strategy for SRCs might be similar with that for DCs. According to the incidence of node metastasis, we propose SRCs with mucosal invasion without LBVI, or with submucosal invasion and ≤2 cm in diameter without LBVI, might be suitable for endoscopic surgery.
Tong
Jian-hua
JH
Research Branch, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Sun
Zhe
Z
Wang
Zhen-ning
ZN
Zhao
Yan-hui
YH
Huang
Bao-jun
BJ
Li
Kai
K
Xu
Yan
Y
Xu
Hui-mian
HM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*