Lymph node metastases rate of locoregional and non-locoregional lymph node stations in gastric cancer

Background: The incidence of lymph node metastases is closely related to the T-stage, and therefore Eastern guidelines advice a D1 lymphadenectomy for early gastric cancer and a D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the lymph node metastases rate in the stations dissected with a D2-lymphadenectomy (stations 8-12) yet spared with a D1-Iymphadenectomy, between different T-stages in a Western patient cohort. Methods: For this retrospective study, patients who underwent a gastrectomy in the Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), location Academic Medical Center (AMC), between 2011 and 2016 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. The primary outcome was to compare the rate of lymph node metastases in station 8-12 between different cT-stages. Results: One hundred twelve patients met our inclusion criteria. There were no positive lymph nodes in the lymph nodes stations 8-12 in cT1 and (y)pT1-stage tumors. The more advanced cT2-4 and (y)pT2-4 stage tumors show a high metastases rate (11.1% to 40.0%) in the lymph node stations 8-12. Conclusions: The results from this study endorse the Japanese Gastric Cancer Guideline; in early gastric cancer, a D1 lymphadenectomy is sufficient, while in advanced gastric cancer a D2 lymphadenectomy should be performed.

Automated summary

The study supports the Japanese Gastric Cancer Guideline that D1 lymphadenectomy is sufficient for early gastric cancer and D2 lymphadenectomy should be performed for advanced gastric cancer.