Prognostic Re-evaluation of Peritoneal Lavage Cytology in Japanese Patients with Gastric Carcinoma

Background/Aims: The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate CY(+) with gastric carcinoma in Japanese patients to identify the characteristics that might distinguish patients with a poor prognosis from those with an intermediate prognosis among CY(+) patients. Methodology: CY(+) was found in 56 of 566 patients (9.9%) who had undergone surgery for gastric carcinoma between January 2000 and December 2006. The 56 patients with CY(+) were classified into four groups: group A, P(-)CY(+) (n=10); group B, P1CY (+) (n=10); group C, P2,3CY(+) (n=18); group D, other (n=18). Results: The 5-year survival of all patients with CY(+) was 12%. A multivariate analysis demonstrated serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, and CY(+) to be independent prognostic factors. However, the 5-year survival in group A was 30%. The prognosis of group A patients was significantly better than that of patients in any other group (Groups B, C, D; p<0.02). Sites of the recurrence in group A were located only in the peritoneum but the lymph nodes, etc. Conclusions: Gastric carcinoma with CY(+) has a poor prognosis because it is associated with non-curative factors,, peritoneal dissemination, and liver or lymph nodes metastases. However, a small sub-population of patients with P(-)CY(+) showed an intermediate prognosis.