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.
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.