Comparison the sixth and seventh editions of the AJCC staging system for T1 gastric cancer: a long-term follow-up study of 2124 patients

Gastric Cancer. 2017 Jan;20(1):43-48. doi: 10.1007/s10120-015-0590-0. Epub 2016 Jan 5.

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to establish an appropriate TNM staging system for early gastric cancer.

Methodology: We evaluated 2124 patients who had undergone gastrectomy for early gastric cancer between 1989 and 2001.

Results: Using the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, we found no significant differences in tumor recurrence and survival between N1 and N2 cancers or between N3a and N3b cancers, whereas the survival curves for N2 and N3 cancers were quite different. Similarly, using the classification in the sixth edition of the AJCC staging system, we found no significant difference in survival between the N2 and N3 cancer groups, whereas the survival curves for N1 versus N2 or N3 cancers were quite different.

Conclusions: The classifications in the sixth and seventh editions of the AJCC staging system have a limitation for T1 gastric cancer (early gastric cancer).

Keywords: Early gastric cancer; Nodal stage; TNM.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrectomy
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Staging / standards*
  • Prognosis
  • Stomach Neoplasms / classification*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Survival Rate