[Early stomach carcinoma--pathologic-anatomic findings and prognosis].

Background: The therapy for early gastric cancer (endoscopy, gastric resection, D1/2 dissection) is controversial.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective study (4/86-12/95) we analyzed the prognosis of 57 early gastric cancer patients with respect to pathological findings and surgical therapy.

Results: The R0 resection rate was 100%. In 7% multifocal tumor growth was seen. The 5-year survival rate was 70%. LN-metastases were found in 12% of all cases, more often in pT1b than in pT1 a tumors (17 vs 9%) and more often in large carcinomas than in small carcinomas (> 1000 mm2: 27%; < 300 mm2: 0%). Long-term survival was significantly better in pN0 patients than in patients with LN metastasis (P = 0.020).

Conclusion: Prognosis of early gastric cancer after curative resection is good.