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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2014; 20(13): 3640-3648
Published online Apr 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i13.3640
Published online Apr 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i13.3640
Prognostic value of number of examined lymph nodes in patients with node-negative gastric cancer
Xu-Guang Jiao, Jing-Yu Deng, Ru-Peng Zhang, Liang-Liang Wu, Li Wang, Hong-Gen Liu, Xi-Shan Hao, Han Liang, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
Author contributions: Jiao XY, Deng JY, Liang H performed the majority of the study; Jiao XG, Deng JY, Zhang RP, Wu LL, Wang L and Liu HG designed the study and analyzed data; Jiao XG, Deng JY wrote the manuscript; Hao XS and Liang H revised the manuscript.
Supported by A grant from the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program), No. 2010CB529301
Correspondence to: Han Liang, MD, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China. tjlianghan022@sohu.com
Telephone: +86-22-23340123 Fax: +86-22-23340123
Received: August 7, 2013
Revised: November 9, 2013
Accepted: December 12, 2013
Published online: April 7, 2014
Revised: November 9, 2013
Accepted: December 12, 2013
Published online: April 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The number of metastatic lymph nodes has been shown to be associated with prognosis in gastric cancer patients. In this study, we found that the overall survival of node-negative gastric cancer patients was significantly affected by examined lymph nodes (eLNs), and number of eLNs was an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. Dissection of > 15 eLNs could reduce locoregional and peritoneal recurrence. We suggest that over 15 lymph nodes should be examined to improve the long-term outcome of node-negative gastric cancer patients following curative gastrectomy.