How does epidemiological and clinicopathological features affect survival after gastrectomy for gastric cancer patientssingle Egyptian center experience

AIM:To investigate the clinicopathological features and the significance of different prognostic factors which predict surgical overall survival in patients with gastric carcinoma.METHODS:This retrospective study includes 80 patients diagnosed and treated at gastroenterology surgical center,Mansoura University,Egypt between February 2009 to February 2013.Prognostic factors were assessed by cox proportional hazard model.RESULTS:There were 57 male and 23 female.The median age was 57 years(24-83).One,3 and 5 years survival rates were 71%,69% and 46% respectively.The median survival was 69.96 mo.During the follow-up period,13 patients died(16%).Hospital morbidity was reported in 10 patients(12.5%).The median number of lymph nodes removed was 22(4-41).Lymph node(LN) involvement was found in 91% of cases.After R0 resection,depth of wall invasion,LN involvement and the number(> 15) of retrieved LN,LN ratio and tumor differentiation predict survival.In multivariable analysis,tumor differentiation,curability of resection and a number of resected LN superior to 15 were found to beindependent prognostic factors.CONCLUSION:Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment.Tumor differentiation,curability of resection and a number of resected LN superior to 15 were found to be independent prognostic factors.Extended LN dissection does not increase the morbidity or mortality rate but markedly improves long term survival.