Clinicopathological aspects and prognostic value with respect to age: an analysis of 3,362 consecutive gastric cancer patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several studies have reported controversial results about clinicopathological features and prognoses in gastric cancer patients with respect to age, partly due to variable definitions of young age and inhomogeneity of the patient population. The aim of study was to analyze clinicopathological features and prognostic value of all stages of gastric cancer in a large consecutive series.

METHODS: Between 2000 and 2005, 3,362 patients with all stages of gastric cancer were enrolled in database. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (< or =45), group 2 (46-70), and group 3 (> or =71).

RESULTS: Upper location and linitis plastica were more frequent in group 1. Young patients had a higher proportion of poorly differentiated and signet ring cell type with elevated CA19-9 level. Depressed type was more frequent in early gastric cancer (EGC) while Bormann type IV and Lauren diffuse type were more common in AGC in group 1. In curatively resected patients, a 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in group 1 than older groups. Stage, vein invasion, curative resection, and CA19-9 level were significant prognostic factors in all gastric cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinicopathological features associated with young gastric cancer include upper location, linitis plastica, histopathologically diffuse type, and unresectability.