Marcovalerio Melis1, Antonio Masi2, Antonio Pinna3, Steven Cohen2, Ioannis Hatzaras2, Russell Berman2, Leon H Pachter2, Elliot Newman2. 1. Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, NBV 15N1, New York, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address: marcovalerio.melis@nyumc.org. 2. Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, NBV 15N1, New York, NY 10016, USA. 3. Department of Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, NBV 15N1, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of General Surgery, Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that the ratio of number of nodes harboring metastatic cancer to the total number of lymph nodes examined (lymph node ratio, LNR) may affect survival after esophagogastric resection for cancer. We analyzed the impact of LNR in overall survival in patients undergoing esophagogastric resection for cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent gastroesophageal resection for cancer (1998 to 2008) were categorized into 4 groups according to their LNR: 113 patients had negative nodes (N0), 86 LNR less than .3, 40 LNR .31 to .6, and 47 LNR greater than .6. Study endpoint was overall median survival. RESULTS: Higher LNR was associated (P < .001) with more advanced stage and adverse pathologic features (eg, grading, venous/perineural invasion). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that LNR is an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSION: In our experience, LNR correlates with adverse pathologic features and is a negative prognostic factor in patients undergoing radical resection for gastroesophageal cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc.
BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that the ratio of number of nodes harboring metastatic cancer to the total number of lymph nodes examined (lymph node ratio, LNR) may affect survival after esophagogastric resection for cancer. We analyzed the impact of LNR in overall survival in patients undergoing esophagogastric resection for cancer. METHODS:Patients who underwent gastroesophageal resection for cancer (1998 to 2008) were categorized into 4 groups according to their LNR: 113 patients had negative nodes (N0), 86 LNR less than .3, 40 LNR .31 to .6, and 47 LNR greater than .6. Study endpoint was overall median survival. RESULTS: Higher LNR was associated (P < .001) with more advanced stage and adverse pathologic features (eg, grading, venous/perineural invasion). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that LNR is an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSION: In our experience, LNR correlates with adverse pathologic features and is a negative prognostic factor in patients undergoing radical resection for gastroesophageal cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc.