Prognostic significance of intraoperative chemotherapy and extensive lymphadenectomy in patients with node-negative gastric cancer

Background and Objectives: Despite a relatively better prognosis, patients with node-negative gastric cancer still suffer from metastasis and recurrence. To investigae the prognostic factors and appropriate therapies for these pN0 tumors, we analyzed the predictors and evaluated the impact of chemotherapy and extensive lymphadenectomy on survival. Methods: Clinicopathologic features of 153 patients with pN0 gastric cancer were studied retrospectively. The prognostic factors were analyzed stratifying by pT1 and pT2-3 stage. The 5-year survival rate (5-YSR) of patients in different groups of chemotherapy and lymph nodes retrieved were compared. Results: Multivariate analysis indicated pT, number of nodes retrieved, and chemotherapy as the independent predictors of advanced gastric cancer; anemia was the only independent predictor of early gastric cancer. Survival of patients with pT3 got improved significantly by intraoperative chemotherapy and retrieval of more than 25 nodes, but neither of them benefited patients with pT1-2. Moreover, in pT3 status, 5-YSR of patients with intraoperative chemotherapy was still poorer than those with postoperative chemotherapy and combined chemotherapy. Conclusions: In pN0 gastric cancers, prognostic factors differed significantly between early stage and advanced stage. For patients with pT3, besides curative gastrectomy and postoperative chemotherapy, it might be beneficial to perform intraoperative chemotherapy and extensive lymphadenectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105: 400-404. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.