Clinicopathological evaluation of T2-gastric cancer among age groups

Background/Aims: Although the recent results of surgical treatments for T2- gastric cancer (defined as: tumor invasion of the muscularis propria or the subserosa) have been comparatively favorable, frequency of lymph node meta stasis is high and recurrence often happens. Methodology: A retrospective study on T2-gastric cancer in 347 patients who underwent curative resection between 1975 and 1995 was performed to addres s this issue. These 347 patients were divided into 3 groups according to ag e: group I (72 cases) <50 years old; group II (202 cases) not <50 years but <70 years old; and group III (73 cases) greater than or equal to 70 years old. Results: There was an apparent tendency that gastric cancer in aged patient s is more likely to become differentiated cancer and spread easily to the l iver. Conclusions: The data suggest that aged patients should be more carefully f ollowed for any hematogenous metastases including liver metastases. Removal of hepatic metastases or regional hepatic infusion chemotherapy may then s alvage some patients even elderly patients.