LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP IN EARLY GASTRIC-CANCER - EVALUATION OF PROGNOSTIC FACTORS

Four hundred and fourteen cases of early gastric cancer (EGG), diagnos ed between 1977 and 1993, were studied. The percentage of EGC increase d from 1977 to 1984, but thereafter remained more or less stable, desp ite a continuous increase in the number of endoscopic examinations. Th ree hundred and ninety-six patients were followed up. Twenty-nine pati ents died from the tumour, giving a 5-year survival rate of 82.8 per c ent. The 'large' size type of EGG, the presence of submucosal penetrat ion, and lymph-node metastasis showed a highly significant association with a lower survival rate. A small number of patients died despite t he presence of 'favourable' prognostic factors. Other still unknown fa ctors may therefore be important in determining the aggressive behavio ur of certain EGCs.