Improvements in staging of gastric carcinoma from using the new edition ofTNM classification

Aims. To recognize possible advantages of the 5th edition of TNM of gastric carcinoma in comparison to the former edition. Methods. Data from Erlangen Cancer Center for 898 patients with gastric car cinoma treated surgically by total or subtotal gastrectomy with en bloc lym phadenectomy were analysed. Results. The prognostic significance of TNM has been improved by the new ed ition as demonstrated by the likelihood ratio test. In addition, uncertaint ies of method in the pathological classification of regional lymph-node met astasis inherent in the 4th edition can now be avoided. Conclusion. The changes in the TNM classification introduced by the 5th edi tion are justified by data from the Erlangen Cancer Center, have methodic a dvantages in determining the N classification, and lead to an improvement i n estimation of outcome.