A new metastatic lymph node ratio system reduces stage migration in patients undergoing D1 lymphadenectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma: analysis of 257 consecutive cases at a single Western institution

摘要

BackgroundThe AJCC/UICC staging system for gastric cancer incorporates the absolute number of metastatic lymph nodes (N status) and is optimally used when ≥15 nodes are examined. The ratio of metastatic to examined nodes (N ratio) is an effective prognostic tool, but has not been examined in Western patients undergoing primarily D1 lymphadenectomy.