[Stomach cancer: pathologic anatomy, advantage and disadvantages of the TNM system]

In gastric cancer surgery, the extent of the margins of clearance should be chosen according to Laurén's histological classification. Prognosis is decisively influenced by the R (residual tumor) classification and--after curative surgery (R0)-by the stage grouping newly defined by the UICC (1987). The present stages-based on the anatomical extent (TNM/pTNM)-should be expanded to "prognostic groups" which would take into consideration other additional important prognostic factors and therapeutic procedures.