Effect of lymph nodes count in node-positive gastric cancer
Wenjie Zhang1,2,3, Guangyan Zhangyuan1,3, Jincheng Wang1,2,3
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China.
Journal of Cancer
|November 19, 2019
Summary
More retrieved lymph nodes (LNs) correlate with better survival in gastric cancer patients. This study developed nomograms using LN counts to predict overall survival and cancer-specific survival more accurately.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Lymph node (LN) count is a prognostic indicator in various cancers.
- The prognostic value of LN count in node-positive gastric cancer requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between retrieved lymph node count and prognosis in gastric cancer patients.
- To develop predictive models for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) incorporating LN counts.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 8475 gastric cancer patients from the SEER database.
- Kaplan-Meier methods and multivariable Cox regression for outcome analysis.
- Development and validation of nomograms using Harrell's concordance index (c-index).
Main Results:
- Higher retrieved LN counts were independently associated with longer survival across all N categories.
- Patients were stratified into 1-6, 7-14, and >14 LN subgroups based on 5-year CSS.
- Nomograms achieved c-indexes of 0.663 for CSS and 0.654 for OS, indicating good predictive accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Increased retrieved lymph node counts positively correlate with improved survival in gastric cancer.
- Nomograms incorporating LN counts offer practical and accurate prognostic tools for gastric cancer patients.
