Clinicopathological analysis for recurrence of early gastric cancer

Objective: To evaluate the recurrence rate,the recurrence patterns and the prognostic factors for recurrence of early gastric cancer（EGC） as well as treatment results after recurrences.Methods: A retrospective search of 391 cases′ Clinicopathological results and follow-up records who were diagnosed as EGC and underwent curative operations（D2） during 1995-2005 in our hospital.Results: Of 391cases,21cases showed recurrences with a 5.4% 5-year cumulative recurrence rate.4 cases were locoregional recurrences,2 were peritoneal recurrences,10 were distant recurrences and 5 cases remnant gastric recurrences.Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly high correlation between positive lymph node metastasis and recurrence（P＜0.001）.Conclusion: Although the recurrence of ECG is very rare in general,ECG with lymph node metastasis has a higher possibility of recurring,especially with ＞6 positive lymph nodes,these patients should be considered as candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.