Extended (D2) lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer: a five year experience

The extent of lymph node dissection in stomach adenocarcinoma is currently under debate. Japanese data strongly support the therapeutic value of extended lymphadenectomy (D2 node dissection), whereas in Western countries several prospective trials have recently been completed with contrasting results. During the period May 1993 to May 1998, 164 patients with gastric cancer were observed: 136 patients, treated with a radical surgical procedure including lymph node dissection according to the guidelines of the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer, were eligible for our analysis. Clinical, histopathological, and surgical factors were examined for their influence on long-term survival. Our results on morbidity and mortality rates are similar to Japanese series: we suggest that the experience and training of the surgeon and his personal attitude towards extensive lymph node dissection may, therefore, be a major factor influencing the morbidity associated with the procedure. The relatively high estimated 3-year survival rate (52%) suggests support for extended lymphadenectomy (D2 dissection) in gastric cancer as standard treatment.