BACKGROUND: We investigated the utility of a novel combined indicator of both tumor depth and size in gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 938 patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. We tested tumor index (TI), calculated by T category × tumor size (mm) as a novel combined indicator of tumor depth and size. RESULTS: Patients were classified into two groups using a cut-off value of 180 (p<0.0001) by the Kaplan-Meier method. TI was significantly positively correlated with older age, tumor located in the upper third of stomach, advanced type of macroscopic appearance, undifferentiated type, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, and recurrence. TI>180 only correlated with peritoneal recurrence (p=0.0394). A multivariate analysis identified TI>180 as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio=2.38, p=0.0004). CONCLUSION: TI may be a novel combined indicator of tumor status for predicting a poor prognosis and peritoneal recurrence in gastric cancer. Copyright
BACKGROUND: We investigated the utility of a novel combined indicator of both tumor depth and size in gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 938 patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. We tested tumor index (TI), calculated by T category × tumor size (mm) as a novel combined indicator of tumor depth and size. RESULTS:Patients were classified into two groups using a cut-off value of 180 (p<0.0001) by the Kaplan-Meier method. TI was significantly positively correlated with older age, tumor located in the upper third of stomach, advanced type of macroscopic appearance, undifferentiated type, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, and recurrence. TI>180 only correlated with peritoneal recurrence (p=0.0394). A multivariate analysis identified TI>180 as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio=2.38, p=0.0004). CONCLUSION: TI may be a novel combined indicator of tumor status for predicting a poor prognosis and peritoneal recurrence in gastric cancer. Copyright