Analysis Of Risk Factors For Lymph Node Metastasis In Early Gastric Cancer

Objective:To explore the general pattern of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer, and to put forward suitable regimens for early gastric cancer with different clinicopathological characteristics.Methods:The data of 98 patients with early gastric cancer,surgically confirmed between January 2006 and December 2009,were retrieved. Clinicopathologic factors including age, gender, tumor size, location, macroscopic type, histological type and depth of tumor invasion were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis for their possible relationship with lymph node metastasis.Results:Of 98 cases, 12 cases(12.24%) showed lymph node metastasis. The metastastic rate was 2.5%(1/40) for mucosa, and 18.97%(11/58) for submucosa carcinoma , respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for lymph node metastasis were found to be: tumor size(≤2cm vs>2cm,P<0.05), histological type(differentiated vs undifferentiated, P<0.05),depth of invasion(mucosal vs sub mucosal, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis also showed that tumor diameter( > 2cm) , submucosal invasion and undifferentiated type(including poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma, signet-ring cell carcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma and so on) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer.Conclusion:Lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer has been proved to be mainly correlated with tumor size, histological type and depth of invasion of the carcinoma. Precise evaluation of lymph node metastasis based on these factors preoperatively is essential for surgical options in early gastric cancer.