Abstract

"Background: The degree of tumor infiltration and lymph node involvement are the most relevant pathological features to determine prognosis of advanced gastric cancer. Aim: To determine the association between clinical and pathological features of advanced gastric cancer and patient survival. Material and Methods: The pathological records of patients with advanced gastric cancer subjected to gastrectomy and lymph node excision between 1986 and 2007 were analyzed. Follow up was performed according to data in the clinical records and death certificates obtained at the Chilean National Death Registry. The main outcome analyzed was survival after surgery. Results: The records of 299 patients aged 62 ± 11 years (68% males), were analyzed. Mean follow up ranged from 1 to 206 months. Five and 10 years actuarial survival was 39 and 34%, respectively. The pathological predictors of survival were microscopic tumor stage, tumor size and location, Bormann classification, infiltration level, degree of differentiation, pathological type of tumor according to Lauren, Ming y Nakamura, lymph node involvement and the absence of residual tumor after surgical excision. Conclusions: The pathological study of the surgical piece in advanced gastric cancer has important prognostic implications."