BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are differing histologic subtypes of gastric cancer. We investigated the clinicopathological features and prognosis of: signet ring cell (SRC), mucinous (MGC), papillary (PGC), and lymphoepithelioma-like (LELC) carcinoma in advanced gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: One hundred thirty six advanced gastric cancer patients, including 62 SRCs, 43 MGCs, 9 PGCs, and 22 LELCs, who underwent R0 gastrectomy between 2002 and 2013, were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant differences in several clinicopathological features. There were found to be statistical differences in postoperative outcomes in the type of gastrectomy and type of anastomosis (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). In terms of overall survival analysis, there was no statistical survival difference among the subtypes of advanced gastric cancer (p=0.088). However, LELC had a better prognosis than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were some differences in several of the clinicopathological features of the subtypes advanced gastric cancer. Although there were no statistical differences in survival, those with LELC showed a better prognosis than did the other groups. Therefore, the treatment of advanced gastric cancer should be individualized, and prognosis considered, according to the subtype.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are differing histologic subtypes of gastric cancer. We investigated the clinicopathological features and prognosis of: signet ring cell (SRC), mucinous (MGC), papillary (PGC), and lymphoepithelioma-like (LELC) carcinoma in advanced gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: One hundred thirty six advanced gastric cancerpatients, including 62 SRCs, 43 MGCs, 9 PGCs, and 22 LELCs, who underwent R0 gastrectomy between 2002 and 2013, were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant differences in several clinicopathological features. There were found to be statistical differences in postoperative outcomes in the type of gastrectomy and type of anastomosis (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). In terms of overall survival analysis, there was no statistical survival difference among the subtypes of advanced gastric cancer (p=0.088). However, LELC had a better prognosis than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were some differences in several of the clinicopathological features of the subtypes advanced gastric cancer. Although there were no statistical differences in survival, those with LELC showed a better prognosis than did the other groups. Therefore, the treatment of advanced gastric cancer should be individualized, and prognosis considered, according to the subtype.