14v Lymph Node Research Articles

The correlation between No. 6 and No. 14v lymph node metastasis and the value of dissecting these lymph nodes in radical gastrectomy

Radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy has been widely performed as the standard surgery for patients with gastric cancer in major medical centers in China and abroad. However, the exact extent of lymph node dissection is still controversial. In the latest version of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines, No. 14v lymph nodes (along the root of the superior mesenteric vein) are again defined as loco-regional lymph nodes, and it is clarified that distal gastric cancer presenting with infra-pyloric regional lymph node (No.6) metastasis is recommended for D2+ superior mesenteric vein (No. 14v) lymph node dissection. To explore the relevance and clinical significance of No.6 and No.14v lymphadenectomy in radical gastric cancer surgery, a review of the national and international literature revealed that No.6 lymph node metastasis was associated with No.14v lymph node metastasis, that No.6 lymph node status was a valid predictor of No.14v lymph node negative status and false negative rate, and that for gastric cancer patients with No. 14v lymph node negative and No.6 lymph node positive, the dissection of No.14v lymph node may also have some significance. The addition of No. 14v lymph node dissection in radical gastrectomy is safe, but it is more important to distinguish the patients who can benefit from it. Professor Liang Han of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital is currently leading a multicenter, large-sample, prospective clinical trial (NCT02272894) in China, which is expected to provide higher level evidence for the clinical significance of lymph node dissection in No.14v.

Effects of Preoperative Pyloric Stenosis on Outcomes and Nutritional Status in 73 Patients Following Curative Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Study from a Single Center.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore the potential impact of pyloric stenosis (PS) on the nutritional status, the incidence of postoperative complications, and the long-term prognosis of distal gastric cancer (GC) patients after curative resection.Material/MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 343 GC patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January 2010 and December 2013. All patients were divided into 2 groups according to the status of PS. Their clinical and pathological features, nutritional indicators, and incidence of postoperative complications were compared and potential prognostic factors were analyzed using the propensity score matching analysis (PSM).ResultsSeventy-four (21.6%) patients had PS. Patients with PS had worse survival outcomes than those without PS (χ2=21.369, P<0.001). Multivariate survival analysis demonstrated that PS, depth of invasion, and lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05) were the independent predictors of overall survival (OS). Patients with PS had significantly higher lymph node metastasis in No. 3, 4sb, 4d, 6, 8a, 9, and 14v lymph nodes. Patients with PS had significantly lower preoperative BMI, more weight loss, and lower prealbumin than those without PS. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in postoperative complications, morbidity, or mortality.ConclusionsDistal GC patients with PS have poor clinicopathological and nutritional status and poor prognosis. However, PS does not increase surgery-related morbidity and mortality.

Current status of extended 'D2 plus' lymphadenectomy in advanced gastric cancer.

The extent of lymph node (LN) dissection has been a topic of interest in gastric cancer (GC) surgery. D2 lymphadenectomy is considered the standard surgical procedure for most resectable advanced GC cases. The value and indications of more extended lymphadenectomy than D2 remain unclear. Currently, the controversial stations beyond the D2 range are mainly focused on no. 14v, no. 16a2/b1 and no. 13 LN stations. The metastatic rate of no. 14v LN is relatively high in advanced distal GC, particularly in patients with suspicious no. 6 LN metastasis. D2 plus no. 14v LN dissection may be attributed to improved survival outcomes for patients with obvious no. 6 LN metastasis. Although GC with para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases is considered an M1 disease beyond surgical cure, patients with limited PALN metastases may benefit from the treatment strategy of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by D2 plus no. 16a2-b1 LN dissection. In addition, D2 plus no. 13 LN dissection may be an option in a potentially curative gastrectomy for GC with duodenal invasion. The present review discusses the current status and future perspectives of D2 plus lymphadenectomy.

Current status of lymph node dissection in gastric cancer.

Gastrectomy with lymph node (LN) dissection has been regarded as the standard surgery for gastric cancer (GC), however, the rational extent of lymphadenectomy remains controversial. Though gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy beyond D2 is classified as a non-standard gastrectomy, its clinical significance has been evaluated in many studies. Although hard evidence is lacking, D2 plus superior mesenteric vein (No. 14v) LN dissection is recommended when harbor metastasis to No. 6 nodes is suspected in the lower stomach, and dissection of splenic hilar (No. 10) LN can be performed for advanced GC invading the greater curvature of the upper stomach, and D2 plus posterior surface of the pancreatic head (No. 13) LN dissection may be an option in a potentially curative gastrectomy for cancer invading the duodenum. Prophylactic D2+ para-aortic nodal dissection (PAND) was not routinely recommended for advanced GC patients, but therapeutic D2 plus PAND may offer a chance of cure in selected patients, preoperative chemotherapy was considered as the standard treatment for GC with para-aortic node metastasis. There has been no consensus on the extent of lymphadenectomy for the adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) so far. The length of esophageal invasion can be used as a reference point for mediastinal LN metastases, and the distance from the esophagogastric junction to the distal end of the tumor is essential for determining the optimal extent of resection. The quality of lymphadenectomy may influence prognosis in GC patients. Both hospital volume and surgeon volume were important factors for the quality of radical gastrectomy. Centralization of GC surgery may be needed to improve prognosis.

Prognostic significance of 14v-lymph node dissection to D2 dissection for lower-third gastric cancer.

BACKGROUNDRadical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node (LN) dissection is the standard surgical procedure for patients with resectable gastric cancer (GC). In the fifteenth edition of the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma, the 14v LN (LNs along the root of the superior mesenteric vein) was defined as the regional gastric LN. The efficacy of 14v LN dissection during radical distal gastrectomy for lower-third GC remains controversial.AIMTo analyze whether the addition of 14v LN dissection improved the survival of patients with lower-third GC.METHODSThe data from 65 patients who underwent 14v LN dissection and 65 patients treated without 14v LN dissection were selected using the propensity score-matched method from our institute database constructed between 2000 and 2012. Overall survival was compared between the groups.RESULTSOverall survival was similar between patients with 14v LN metastasis and those with distant metastasis (P = 0.521). Among patients with pathological stage IIIA disease, those who were treated with 14v LN dissection had a significantly higher overall survival than those treated without it (P = 0.020). Multivariate analysis showed that age < 65 years and pT2-3 stage were independent favorable prognostic factors for prolonged overall survival in patients with pathological stage IIIA disease. Patients with No. 1, No. 6, No. 8a, or No. 11p LN metastasis were at higher risk of having 14v LN metastasis.CONCLUSIONAdding 14v LN dissection to D2 dissection during radical distal gastrectomy may improve the overall survival of patients with pathological stage IIIA lower-third GC.

Comparison of D2 and D2 plus radical surgery for advanced distal gastric cancer: A randomized controlled study.

e15546 Background: The optimal extent of lymph node (LN) dissection for advanced distal gastric cancer remains controversial. The present study compared the safety and efficacy of extended LN dissection (D2 plus) with standard D2 radical surgery for advanced distal gastric cancer. Methods: Eligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups: D2 group and D2 plus group. Patients in the D2 group received standard D2 LN dissection, while patients in the D2 plus group received an additional no. 8p, 12b, 13 and 14v LNs dissection. The clinicopathological and surgical data of these two groups was compared and the factors that may influence survival were analyzed. Results: 70 patients were enrolled, out of which 64 patients were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the operative time, blood loss and complications between the two groups. In the D2 plus group, the positive rate of the no. 12b, 13 and 14v LN was 3.1%, 9.4% and 12.5%, respectively. The positive rate of the no. 13 LN correlated with the duodenal involvement, while the positive rate of the no. 14v LN correlated with no. 6 LN metastasis. The survival analysis indicated that among patients with duodenum involvement, the 3-year disease free survival rate of the D2 plus group was significantly better than that of the D2 group. Conclusions: Duodenum involvement and positive no. 6 LN were high risk factors of advanced distal gastric cancer. D2 plus radical surgery turned out to be safe and feasible, and may improve the prognosis of these patients. However, further clinical trials are still warranted. Clinical trial information: #NCT01836991.

Comparison of D2 and D2 plus radical surgery for advanced distal gastric cancer: a randomized controlled study

BackgroundThe optimal extent of lymph node (LN) dissection for advanced distal gastric cancer remains controversial. The present study compared the safety and efficacy of extended LN dissection (D2 plus) with standard D2 radical surgery for advanced distal gastric cancer.MethodsEligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups: D2 group and D2 plus group. Patients in the D2 group received standard D2 LN dissection, while patients in the D2 plus group received an additional nos. 8p, 12b, 13, and 14v LNs dissection. The clinicopathological and surgical data of these two groups were compared, and the factors that may influence survival were analyzed.ResultsSeventy patients were enrolled, out of which 64 patients were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the operative time, blood loss, and complications between the two groups. In the D2 plus group, the positive rate of the nos. 12b, 13, and 14v LN was 3.1%, 9.4%, and 12.5%, respectively. The positive rate of the no. 13 LN correlated with the duodenal involvement, while the positive rate of the no. 14v LN correlated with no. 6 LN metastasis. The survival analysis indicated that among patients with duodenum involvement, the 3-year disease-free survival rate of the D2 plus group was significantly better than that of the D2 group.ConclusionDuodenum involvement and positive no. 6 LN were high-risk factors of advanced distal gastric cancer. D2 plus radical surgery turned out to be safe and feasible, and may improve the prognosis of these patients. However, further clinical trials are still warranted.Trial registrationThis study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01836991, registered on 22 April 2013.

Clinical study on lymph node metastasis regularity in 1456 patients with gastric cancer

To investigated the characteristics and regularity of lymph node metastasis around gastric cancer in order to provide reference for standardized and optimal surgical treatment. A retrospective case series study was carried out on 1456 patients with gastric cancer undergoing surgical treatment at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from March 2003 to August 2011. The number of harvested lymph node and metastasis status of various lymph node station were determined by routine pathological examination of specimens, including resected gastric tissue and dissected lymph node tissue, according to the 13th version of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines. Tumor T, N and M staging was performed to evaluate lymphatic metastasis status of different locations of gastric cancer according to the TNM staging criteria of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The influence of gender, age, tumor diameter, Borrmann type, T staging and M staging, tumor differentiation degree, invasion of vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves, radical surgical degree and other clinical factors on lymph node metastasis was analyzed. A total of 1062 cases(72.9%) had lymph node metastasis in the 1456 patients with gastric cancer. A total of 9766 lymph nodes were positive for metastasis. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 11 of 44 (25.0%) patients with early gastric cancer and in 1051 of 1412 (74.4%) patients with advanced gastric cancer. The largest number of lymph node metastases was found in No.3 station [653 cases (44.8%)], followed by No.6 [437 cases(30.0%)], No.7 [345 cases (23.7%)], No.1 [304 cases (20.9%)], No.4sb [290 cases (19.9%)]. No.14v lymph node metastasis was observed in 23 cases, of whom No.6 (16 cases, 69.6%), No.8a (15 cases, 65.2%) and No.3 (12 cases, 52.2%) developed simultaneous metastasis. As for different locations of gastric cancer, stations with more lymph node metastasis in 309 patients with proximal gastric cancer were No.3 (133 cases, 43.0%), No.1 (96 cases, 31.1%), No.2 (90 cases, 29.1%) and No.7 (89 cases, 28.8%); in 144 patients with middle gastric cancer were No.3 (68 cases, 47.2%), No.6 (50 cases, 34.7%), No.7 (40 cases, 27.8%) and No.4sb (38 cases, 26.4%); in 700 patients with distal gastric cancer were No.3(287 cases, 41.0%), No.6 (265 cases, 37.8%), No.4sb (138 cases, 19.7%) and No.8a (138 cases, 19.7%); in 303 cases with diffuse-type gastric cancer were No.3 (165 cases, 54.4%), No.6 (100 cases, 33.0%), No.7 (88 cases, 29.0%), No.1 (84 cases, 27.7%) and No.4sb (72 cases, 23.8%). The incidence of lymph node skip metastasis was 7.2% (105/1456) in whole group. Positive lymph node metastasis was associated with tumor size (RR=2.016, 95%CI: 1.550-2.621, P=0.000), tumor differentiation(RR=1.631, 95%CI:1.405-1.894, P=0.000), tumor T staging (RR=1.886, 95%CI: 1.629-2.184, P=0.000), tumor M staging (RR=3.671, 95%CI:1.265-10.660, P=0.017) and radical surgery(RR=3.819, 95%CI: 2.023-7.207, P=0.000). The main direction of peripheral lymph node drainage in gastric cancer is lesser curvature, and then the left gastric artery, the common hepatic artery and the peripheral lymph nodes of the celiac axis, and finally the peripheral lymph nodes of the abdominal aorta. Therefore the No.6 station lymph node adjacent to the perigastric area, the No.7, No.8 and No.9 lymph nodes should be the focus of the radical surgical dissection of gastric cancer. Tumor size, differentiation degree, invasion depth and distant metastasis have significant association with lymph node metastasis. For patients with adverse factors, radical surgery is necessary to ensure efficacy.

Clinical value of superior mesenteric vein (No.14v) lymph node dissection in D2 gastrectomy for locally advanced distal gastric cancer

To explore the value of superior mesenteric vein (No.14v) lymph node dissection in D2 gastrectomy for locally advanced distal gastric cancer. A retrospective cohort study was carried out. A total of 796 patients with locally advanced distal gastric cancer undergoing D2 gastrectomy at the Cancer Center of Guangzhou Medical University between 2002 and 2016 were enrolled. locally advanced distal gastric adenocarcinoma confirmed by postoperative pathology; adenocarcinoma located at or invaded into lower 1/3 stomach; lymphadenectomy was D2 or D2+; negative resection margin confirmed by pathology; no distal metastasis was found; preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not administrated. Patients with undefined group of lymph nodes by postoperative pathology and those who were died perioperatively were excluded. Among 796 patients, 293 underwent No.14v dissection (No.14vD+ group) and the other 503 patients did not undergo No.14v dissection (No.14vD- group). The 5-year overall survival was compared between the two groups. Therapeutic index of No.14v lymph nodes was calculated according to the following formula: therapeutic index=metastatic rate of No.14 lymph nodes (%) × 5-year survival rate of patients with No.14 lymph node metastasis(%) × 100. Meanwhile, stratified analyses based on pathological TNM staging were performed. There were no significant differences in age, gender, tumor size, Borrmann type, Lauren classification, histological type, surgical procedure, and number of harvested lymph node between two groups (all P>0.05). However, compared to No.14vD- group, No.14vD+ group had more advanced T staging (χ² =14.771, P=0.005) and TNM staging (χ² =18.339, P=0.003), and higher ratio of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (χ² =4.205, P=0.040). The median follow-up period was 47 months. The 5-year survival rate in No.14vD+ and No.14vD- groups was 57.4% and 46.8% respectively without statistically significant difference (P=0.313). After adjusting for confounding factors, Cox proportional hazards model showed that No.14v lymphadenectomy was not an independent prognostic factor(HR=0.802, 95%CI: 0.545-1.186, P=0.124). Stratified analyses revealed that in all TNM stages, 5-year survival rates were not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05). However, No.14v lymphadenectomy showed a tendency of survival benefit when the tumor staging after advancing to III A stage(III A: P=0.103; III B: P=0.085; III C: P=0.060). Five-year survival rates of No.14vD+ and No.14vD- groups in stage III A were 54.9% and 45.2%, in III B stage were 39.8% and 29.5%, in III C stage were 27.5% and 16.2%, respectively. After combining III A, III B and III C, the No.14vD+ group had a higher 5-year survival rate than No.14vD- group (39.2% vs. 27.7%, P=0.006). The No.14v metastasis rate in No14v+ group was 12.6%(37/293), including 0%(0/46), 2.5%(1/40), 4.9%(2/41), 15.7%(8/51), 20.8%(11/53) and 24.2%(15/62) in stages I B, II A, II B, III A, III B and III C respectively. The metastasis rate of No.14v lymph node in stage III patients was 20.5%(34/166). The 5-year survival rate of these 34 stage III patients with No.14v metastasis was 21.1%. The therapeutic index of No.14v lymph node in stage III patients was 4.3, which was comparable with 3.9 of No.9 and 4.9 of No.11p, even higher than 2.6 of No.1. Although No.14v lymphadenectomy can not improve the overall survival of patients with locally advanced distal gastric cancer, but it may significantly improve survival in those with stage III cancer. The therapeutic index of No.14v lymph node is similar to No.2 station lymph node in patients with stage III distal gastric cancer. Therefore No.14v lymph node should be included in D2 dissection.

Risk factors for metastasis to No.14v lymph node and prognostic value of 14v status for gastric cancer patients after surgery.

D2 procedure has been accepted as the standard lymphadenectomy for advanced GC, while the role of No.14v lymph node (14v) dissection for distal GC is still controversial. A total of 284 GC patients receiving D2 plus 14v dissection in our center were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups based on 14v status: positive group (PG) and negative group (NG). Clinicopathological factors correlated with 14v metastasis and prognostic variables were respectively analyzed. Thirty-five patients (12.3%) had 14v metastasis. Metastasis to No.4d and No.6 lymph node were independent variables affecting 14v metastasis. Patients with positive 14v had a significant lower 3-year overall survival (OS) rate than those without (3-year OS: 42.9% vs. 70.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that 14v status was an independent prognostic factor for III stage GC (hazard ratio 1.462, 95% confident interval: 1.182-2.309, P = 0.027). The prognosis of 14v positive patients correlated with tumor size and No.6 lymph node status in univariate analysis. GC patients with No.4d and No.6 lymph node metastasis were more likely to have positive 14v. Status of 14v was an independent prognostic factor for III stage GC. Patients with 14v metastasis usually had a poorer prognosis, while survival in such patients after curative surgery was similar to that of patients staged IIIc without 14v metastasis.

Survival benefit of "D2-plus" gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients with duodenal invasion.

The optimal extent of lymph node (LN) dissection for gastric cancer with duodenal invasion is yet to be clarified. This study sought to evaluate the significance of gastrectomy with D2-plus lymphadenectomy including posterior LNs along the common hepatic artery (no. 8p), hepatoduodenal ligament LNs along the bile duct (no. 12b) and those behind the portal vein (no. 12p), LNs on the posterior surface of the pancreatic head (no. 13), LNs along the superior mesenteric vein (no. 14v) and para-aortic LNs around the left renal vein (nos. 16a2 and 16b1) dissection. Patients with gastric cancer with duodenal invasion undergoing R0 gastrectomy from January 2000 to December 2015 were enrolled. The therapeutic value index (TVI) of each LN dissection was calculated by multiplying the incidence of metastasis to each LN station by the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the patients with metastasis to the station. In total, 117 patients were eligible. The 5-year OS rates (and TVI) of the patients with metastasis to LNs were 40.4% (7.4) in no. 12b, 25.4% (6.8) in no. 13, 32.0% (6.1) in no. 14v, 50.0% (13.0) in no. 16a2 and 40.0% (10.0) in no. 16b1. None of the patients with metastasis in no. 8p or no. 12p survived 5years or longer. In a potentially curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer with duodenal invasion, there may be some survival benefit in dissection of nos. 12b, 13, 14v, 16a2 and 16b1 LNs, while no benefit was seen in dissection of nos. 8p or 12p LNs.

Laparoscopic Infrapyloric Area Lymph Node Dissection with No. 14v Enlargement for Advanced Lower Gastric Cancer in Middle Colic Vein Approach.

We developed a procedure for laparoscopic infrapyloric area lymph node (LN) dissection with No. 14v enlargement, which is complicated for patients with advanced lower gastric cancer (GC) (Xu et al., World J Gastroenterol 13:5133-5138,2007; Masuda et al., Dig Surg 25:351-358,2008; An et al., Br J Surg 98:667-672,2011]. From April 2008 to December 2014, 1096 patients with GC underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical distal gastrectomy in our department. According to the Japanese GC treatment guidelines, D2 (+No. 14v) may be beneficial in tumors with apparent metastasis to the No. 6 nodes (Japanese Gastric Cancer Association, Gastric Cancer 14:113-123,2010). Thus, 151 advanced lower GC patients with apparent metastasis to the No. 6 nodes underwent additional No. 14v LN dissection. We dissected infrapyloric area LNs with No. 14v dissection from the left to the right side (i.e., middle colic vein approach). Mean operation time was 22.8 ± 10.0 min, mean blood loss was 17.1 ± 14.6 ml, and mean times to first flatus, fluid diet, and soft diet were 3.7 ± 1.2 days, 5.0 ± 1.7 days, and 8.4 ± 1.6 days, respectively. A mean of 33.7 ± 11.2 LNs were retrieved, including 3.9 ± 2.7 No. 6 LNs and 2.0 ± 1.6 No. 14v LNs. Of 151 patients, 26 had No. 14v metastasis (17.2%), and 43 (28.5%) were accompanied by an extensive infrapyloric area nodal involvement. The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 10.6% (16 of 151). At a median follow-up of 56 months (range 5-84 months), cumulative 3-year overall survival was 56.0%. Although it remains controversial whether prophylactic No. 14v dissection improves survival, laparoscopic infrapyloric area LN dissection using a middle colic vein approach may be safely achieved and is more convenient for advanced lower GC.

Positive impact of adding No.14v lymph node to D2 dissection on survival for distal gastric cancer patients after surgery with curative intent.

D2 lymphadenectomy has been increasingly regarded as standard surgical procedure for advanced gastric cancer (GC), while the necessity of No.14v lymph node (14v) dissection for distal GC is still controversial. A total of 920 distal GC patients receiving at least a D2 lymph node dissection in Department of Gastric Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were enrolled in this study, of whom, 243 patients also had the 14v dissected. Other 677 patients without 14v dissection were used for comparison. Forty-five (18.5%) patients had 14v metastasis. There was no significant difference in 3-year overall survival (OS) rate between patients with and without 14v dissection. Following stratified analysis, in TNM stages I, II, IIIa and IV, 14v dissection did not affect 3-year OS; in contrast, patients with 14v dissection had a significant higher 3-year OS than those without in TNM stages IIIb and IIIc. In multivariate analysis, 14v dissection was found to be an independent prognostic factor for GC patients with TNM stage IIIb/IIIc disease [hazard ratio (HR), 1.568; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.186-2.072; P=0.002]. GC patients with 14v dissection had a significant lower locoregional, especially lymph node, recurrence rate than those without 14v dissection (11.7% vs. 21.1%, P=0.035). Adding 14v to D2 lymphadenectomy may be associated with improved 3-year OS for distal GC staged TNM IIIb/IIIc.

Analysis of risk factors associated with metastasis of lymph node along superior mesenteric vein in patients with gastric cancer

To investigate the risk factors associated with metastasis of lymph node along superior mesenteric vein (No.14v) in gastric cancer. Clinicopathological data of 70 gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy with No.14v dissection between September 2010 and October 2011 in the Gulou Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine were analyzed retrospectively. Associated factors of No.14v lymph nodes metastasis were investigated. Of 70 cases, positive No.14v lymph node metastasis was found in 8 cases (11.4%). Univariate analysis showed that the No.14v metastasis was associated with tumor location (P=0.019), tumor size (P=0.004), depth of invasion (P=0.001), TNM staging (P=0.006), and other lymph node group metastasis (all P<0.05), and was not associated with age, gender, Borrmann classification, Lauren classification or histological type (all P>0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that lntra-pyloric lymph nodes (No.6) metastasis was an independent risk factor of No.14v metastasis (P<0.05). The predictive accuracy was 94.3% (66/70) and false-negative rate was 1.7% (1/60) for No.6 lymph node metastasis. No.6 lymph node metastasis status can predict the metastasis of No.14v more accurately.

Improved survival after adding dissection of the superior mesenteric vein lymph node (14v) to standard D2 gastrectomy for advanced distal gastric cancer

Extended lymph node dissection in gastric cancer (D3) was proven to have no survival benefit compared with a D2 dissection, but whether adding the superior mesenteric nodes (No. 14v) to the dissection provides survival benefit for gastric cancer patients remains controversial. From April 2001 to June 2007, 1,661 patients underwent curative resection for middle or lower third gastric cancer. Patients were grouped according to No. 14v lymphadenectomy (14vD+/14vD-). Clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment-related factors were compared between the groups. Overall survival according to the clinical stage (Union for International Cancer Control tumor-node-metastasis staging 6th edition) was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. The incidence of No. 14v lymph node metastasis was 5.0%. There was no difference in morbidity or mortality between the 14vD+ and the 14vD- groups. The proportion of locoregional recurrence was greater in 14vD- group (P = .018). In clinical stages I and II, 14v lymph node dissection did not affect overall survival; in contrast, 14v lymph node dissection was an independent prognostic factor in patients with clinical stage III/IV gastric cancer (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.88; P = .01). Extended D2 gastrectomy including No. 14v lymph node dissection seems to be associated with improved overall survival of patients with clinical stage III/IV gastric cancer in the middle or lower third of the stomach.

Significance of No.14v lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer undergoing D2 lymphadenectomy

To elucidate the necessity of No.14v lymph node dissection in D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Clinicopathological data of 131 cases of advanced gastric cancer receiving D2 or D2+ plus No.14v lymph node dissection were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathological factors associated with No.14v lymph node metastasis were analyzed and prognostic value of No.14v lymph node metastasis was evaluated. Of the 131 patients, 24 (18.3%) had positive No.14v lymph node. The incidence of 14v metastasis was associated with tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, N staging, TNM staging, No.1, No.6, and No.8a lymph nodes metastasis. Tumor location and N staging were independent risk factors for No.14v metastasis (all P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 8.3% and 37.8% in patients with and without No.14v metastasis respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that metastasis of No.14v was an independent prognostic factor for advanced gastric cancer after D2 lymphadenectomy (P=0.029, RR=1.807, 95%CI:1.064-3.070). For advanced middle and lower gastric cancers, especially those with larger size, serosa invasion and possibility of No.6 lymph node metastasis, it is necessary and feasible to remove the No.14v lymph node.

Relevance of lymph node metastasis along the superior mesenteric vein in gastric cancer

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of lymph node metastasis along the superior mesenteric vein (station 14v) to determine the need for 14v dissection in gastric cancer surgery. A total of 1104 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy including 14v dissection were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with and those without 14v lymph node involvement by metastasis. Of the total study population, 73 patients (6·6 per cent) had 14v-positive gastric cancer. These patients were more likely to have advanced tumour (T), node (N) and distant metastatic (M) status, and histologically undifferentiated gastric cancers. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients with 14v-positive disease were 24 and 9 per cent respectively. Survival in this group was similar to that of patients who had gastric cancer with distant metastasis (M1). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that 14v status was a significant prognostic factor for gastric cancer (hazard ratio 2·13; P < 0·001). After histologically complete (R0) resection, the overall survival of 14v-positive patients with any stage of cancer was significantly worse than that for 14v-negative patients with stage IV cancer (P = 0·006). 14v status is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer, with 14v-positive gastric cancer having a poor prognosis, similar to that of M1 disease. The exclusion of 14v in regional lymph node dissection should be considered.

Study on metastasis and micrometastasis in No.14v lymph nodes of patients with lower third gastric cancer

To study the metastasis and micrometastasis in No.14v lymph nodes in patients with lower third gastric cancer. A retrospective study was performed. A total of 53 patients undergoing radical resections by a single surgeon for lower third gastric cancer in the Department of General Surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College were included. Conventional pathological section was used to detect lymph nodes metastasis and telomere TRAP-ELISA was used to identify the micrometastasis in No.14v lymph nodes. A total of 96 lymph nodes were dissected from the No.14v group and lymph nodes metastasis were discovered in 9 patients by conventional pathological section. Forty-four patients had no metastasis on conventional pathological examination, of whom 13(29.6%) were found to have micrometastasis. The overall metastatic rate was 41.5%(22/53). Metastasis and micrometastasis in the No.14v lymph nodes were associated with Borrmann types, depth of invasion, No.6 lymph nodes metastasis, tumor diameter, and TNM staging(P<0.05). No.14v lymph nodes in patients with lower third gastric cancer is associated with a high incidence of metastasis and micrometastasis. The status of No.6 lymph nodes may be used as an useful indicator for No.14v lymph nodes metastases during the operation.

Retrospective analysis of extended gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy in early gastric cancer patients

To objectively evaluate the practical significance of different extended surgeries in early gastric cancer(EGC) patients, and to choose reasonable gastrectomies and lymphadenectomies. A total of 217 EGC patients were investigated undergone normalized D2 or above extended surgery and their clinicopathological data were recorded in detail. The efficiency of the extended lymphadenectomies, complications and operation causes were analyzed, and the correlation between the group 2 lymph node metastasis (LNM) and clinicopathological factors were assessed, too. There was no nodal involvement in the No.5 and No.6 lymph nodes among the total gastrectomy in the upper third of the stomach, neither was in the No.10, 11p and 11d lymph nodes among the combined splenectomy, and neither was in the No.15 lymph nodes among the combined transverse mesocolon resection in the lower third of the stomach. There was no distant nodal involvement in the EGC. Above all, most of them were mistaken for advanced gastric cancer preoperatively and intraoperatively, the operation time was longer and the blood loss was more during operation. Among the resected nodes of group 2 in the lower third of the stomach, metastasis was not found in the No.11p, 12a and 14v lymph nodes. The rate of the No.7 and 8a nodal involvement in the submucosa cancer was higher than that in the mucosa cancer(P<0.05) and so did the No.7 in the lymphatic penetration positive(P<0.001). The No.1 and No.13 nodal involvement were only seen in the high risk cases, such as submucosa cancer, the lesion diameter more than 3.0 cm, depressed type and lymphatic involvement. It is not necessary to execute total gastrectomy in the upper third of the stomach, combined organ resection (such as splenectomy, transverse mesocolon resection), and distant lymph node dissection in the EGC. In the lower third of the stomach, the No.11p 12a and 14v lymph nodes shouldn't be dissected. With respect to the high risk nodal involvement cases in the lower third of the stomach, the No.1 lymph nodes should be dissected and so does the No.13 lymph nodes if it's tumefied. It is the key point of reasonable operation to exactly diagnose the EGC before and during the surgery.

Risk factors for lymph node metastasis and evaluation of reasonable surgery for early gastric cancer.

To give the evidence for rationalizing surgical therapy for early gastric cancer with different lymph node status. A series of 322 early gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy with more than 15 lymph nodes retrieved were reviewed in this study. The rate of lymph node metastasis was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the independent factors for predicting lymph node metastasis. No metastasis was detected in No.5, 6 lymph nodes (LN) during proximal gastric cancer total gastrectomy, and in No.10, 11p, 11d during for combined resection of spleen and splenic artery and in No.15 LN during combined resection of transverse colon mesentery. No.11p, 12a, 14v LN were proved negative for metastasis. The global metastastic rate was 14.6% for LN, 5.9% for mucosa, and 22.4% for submucosa carcinoma, respectively. The metastasis in group II was almost limited in No.7, 8a LN. Multivariate analysis identified that the depth of invasion, histological type and lymphatic invasion were independent risk factors for LN metastasis. No metastasis from distal cancer (<or=1.0 cm in diameter) was detected in group II LN. The metastasis rate increased significantly when the diameter exceeded 3.0 cm. All tumors (<or=1.0 cm in diameter) with LN metastasis and mucosa invasion showed a depressed macroscopic type, and all protruded carcinomas were >3.0 cm in diameter. Segmental/subtotal gastrectomy plus D1/D1+No.7 should be performed for carcinoma (<or=1.0 cm in diameter, protruded type and mucosa invasion). Subtotal gastrectomy plus D2 or D2+No.7, 8a, 9 is the most rational operation, whereas No.11p, 12a, 14v lymphadenectomy should not be recommended routinely for poorly differentiated and depressed type of submucosa carcinoma (>3.0 cm in diameter). Total gastrectomy should not be performed in proximal, so does combined resection or D2+/D3 lymphadenectomy.