BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and frequency of lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus in proximal gastric cancer and the effect of splenectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and forty-nine patients undergoing total gastrectomy for primary proximal gastric cancer were included. Among these patients, lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was histologically assessed in 201 cases. RESULTS: The incidence of lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was 31 cases (15.4%). No lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was detected in any T1 and T2 tumors located at the lesser curvature and anterior wall. No significant difference was observed between the survival rates of patients with and without splenectomy in each stage. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that gastrectomy with spleen preservation may be recommended at least in patients with T1 or T2 tumors located at the lesser curvature and anterior wall.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and frequency of lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus in proximal gastric cancer and the effect of splenectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and forty-nine patients undergoing total gastrectomy for primary proximal gastric cancer were included. Among these patients, lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was histologically assessed in 201 cases. RESULTS: The incidence of lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was 31 cases (15.4%). No lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was detected in any T1 and T2 tumors located at the lesser curvature and anterior wall. No significant difference was observed between the survival rates of patients with and without splenectomy in each stage. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that gastrectomy with spleen preservation may be recommended at least in patients with T1 or T2 tumors located at the lesser curvature and anterior wall.