Evaluation of prognostic value and stage migration effect using positive lymph node ratio in gastric cancer.

Abstract Aims To detect the best cut-off value of the positive lymph node ratio (PLNR) for stratifying the prognosis and analyzing its value with regard to stage migration effect using PLNR in gastric cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1069 consecutive gastric cancer patients, who underwent curative gastrectomy with radical lymphadenectomy from 1997 through 2009. Results 1) The mean number of dissected lymph nodes was 42.6 in pStage I, 32.4 in pStage II and 37.1 in pStage III. The PLNR of 0.2 was proved to be the best cut-off value to stratify the prognosis of patients into two groups ( P P Conclusion The PLNR contributes to evaluating prognosis and stage migration effect even in a single institute and enable to identify those who need meticulous treatments and follow-up in patients with gastric cancer.