TUMOR SIZE AS A SIMPLE PROGNOSTIC INDICATOR FOR GASTRIC-CARCINOMA

Background: Tumor size can be measured easily before or during operati on with no special tools, but its prognostic use in patients with gast ric carcinoma is still unclear. Methods: Clinicopathologic data of 479 patients who underwent curative operation for gastric carcinoma were studied. The relationship between tumor size and survival of patients was investigated. Results: The patients were divided into three groups : 182 with tumors measuring <4 cm (group I), 252 with tumors of 4-10 c m (group II), and 45 with tumors of greater than or equal to 10 cm (gr oup III). The 10-year survival rates for group I, II, and III patients were 92%, 66%, and 33%, respectively (p < 0.01), and the three groups were significantly different with regard to depth of invasion (p < 0. 01), number and level of lymph node metastasis (p < 0.01), and stage o f disease (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size independently influenced the survival of patients. Conclusions: Tumor size clinically serves as a simple predictor of tumor progression and survival of patients in gastric carcinoma.