[Lymph node metastasis of early gastric cancer and lymph node dissection]

Five hundred and four cases of early gastric cancer and their status of lymph node metastases were analyzed. The patients were classified into 4 groups by age; Group A: Younger than 50 years, Group B: 50-59, Group C: 60-69 and Group D: Over 70 years. The tumors were divided into 2 histologic groups, differentiated type and undifferentiated type. The results are as follows. 1. The incidence of lymph node metastasis was 2.4% in mucosal cancer and 17.1% in submucosal cancer. 2. The incidence of lymph node metastasis in Group D was remarkably lower compared to that in other younger groups. 3. No lymph node metastasis was found in mucosal cancer of differentiated type. 4. Positive node was usually found in the regional nodes near the tumor and in the nodes adjacent to the left gastric artery. 5. Extended lymph node dissection is not necessary for the patient over 70 years and for mucosal cancer of differentiated type.