PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR SURVIVAL IN NODE-NEGATIVE GASTRIC CANCER PATIENTS WHO UNDERWENT CURATIVE RESECTION

Background and Aim:Lymph node involvement is the strongest prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer; patients with node-negative gastric cancer present with better survival. However, some patients develop recurrent gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to review the clinicopathological characteristics and factors for prognosis in patients with node-negative gastric cancer who underwent curative resection. Methods:Between January 2004 and December 2015, the clinicopathological characteristics of 302 patients with node-negative gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results:The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for patients with node-negative gastric cancer were 80.0%, 69.0%, and 63.0%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, histologic type, and depth of invasion had significant effects on survival (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size (hazard ratio: 1.83%, 95.0% confidence interval: 1.13-2.96, p=0.014), histologic type (hazard ratio: 1.57%, 95.0% confidence interval: 1.01-2.44, p=0.042), and depth of invasion (hazard ratio: 1.38%, 95.0% confidence interval: 1.14-1.67, p=0.001) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion:Tumor size, histologic type, and depth of invasion are important prognostic factors in patients with node-negative gastric cancer. These parameters should be considered to stratify patients for therapy and follow-up strategies.