BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer patients with only positive peritoneal cytology in the absence of overt peritoneal metastases, and which might distinguish patients with poorer prognosis. METHODS: Between September 1994 and August 2006, clinicopathological features were retrospectively evaluated in 37 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent a curative resection and had positive peritoneal cytology in the absence of overt peritoneal metastases. Survival including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and recurrence patterns were analyzed according to clinicopathologic characteristics. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 16.1 months (range, 3-45 months). The median DFS and OS of patients after curative resection were 10 months (range, 1-33 months) and 15 months (range, 2-45 months), respectively. All patients had recurred, in 34 (92%) with peritoneal dissemination. The overall 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for the 37 consecutive patients were 43.2%, 45.9%, 5.4%, and 0%, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that Borrmann type IV was an independent predictor for poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: A Borrmann type IV carcinoma may be the candidates for intraperitoneal chemotherapy among advanced gastric cancer patients.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate clinicopathologic features of gastric cancerpatients with only positive peritoneal cytology in the absence of overt peritoneal metastases, and which might distinguish patients with poorer prognosis. METHODS: Between September 1994 and August 2006, clinicopathological features were retrospectively evaluated in 37 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent a curative resection and had positive peritoneal cytology in the absence of overt peritoneal metastases. Survival including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and recurrence patterns were analyzed according to clinicopathologic characteristics. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 16.1 months (range, 3-45 months). The median DFS and OS of patients after curative resection were 10 months (range, 1-33 months) and 15 months (range, 2-45 months), respectively. All patients had recurred, in 34 (92%) with peritoneal dissemination. The overall 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for the 37 consecutive patients were 43.2%, 45.9%, 5.4%, and 0%, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that Borrmann type IV was an independent predictor for poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: A Borrmann type IV carcinoma may be the candidates for intraperitoneal chemotherapy among advanced gastric cancerpatients.