Systematic review of D2 lymphadenectomy versus D2 with para-aortic nodal dissection for advanced gastric cancer

AIM:To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effects of para-aortic nodal dissection (PAND) for advanced gastric cancer.METHODS:Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies comparing D2 + PAND with D2 lymphadenectomy were identified using a predefined search strategy.Five-year overall survival rate,post-operative mortality,and wound degree of surgery between the two operations were compared by using the methods provided by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.RESULTS:Four RCTs (1120 patients) and 4 nonrandomized studies (901 patients) were identif ied.Metaanalysis showed that there was no signif icant difference between these two groups in 5-year overall survival rate [risk ratio (RR) 1.04 (95% CI:0.93-1.16) for RCTs and 0.96 (95% CI:0.83-1.10) for non-randomized studies] and post-operative mortality [RR 0.99 (95% CI:0.44-2.24) for RCTs and 2.06 (95% CI:0.69-6.15) for non-randomized studies].There was a significant difference between these two groups in wound degree of surgery,operation time was significantly longer [weighted mean difference (WMD) 195.32 min (95% CI:114.59-276.05) for RCTs and 126.07 min (95% CI:22.09-230.04) for non-randomized studies] and blood loss was signif icantly greater [WMD 301 mL (95% CI:151.55-450.45) for RCTs and 302.86 mL (95% CI:127.89-477.84) for non-randomized studies] in D2 + PAND.CONCLUSION:D2 + PAND can be performed as safely as standard D2 resection without increasing post-operative mortality but fail to benefit overall survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Questionnaire survey regarding the current status of superextended lymph node dissection in Japan

AIM To verify the current status of super-extended lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer according to a questionnaire survey.METHODS One-hundred and five institutions responded to the questionnaire.The survey included the following items: Number of experiences,whether performed prophylactically and/or therapeutically,whether preoperative chemotherapy was provided,number of preoperative chemotherapy rounds,and therapeutic options after chemotherapy.RESULTS Eighty-seven of the 105 institutions(83%) had performed D3 gastrectomy in the past or continued to perform D3 gastrectomy at present.However,D3 gastrectomy was rarely performed prophylactically in clinical practice.Seventy-eight institutions(74%) indicated that preoperative chemotherapy with curative intent was required for patients suspected of having para-aortic node(PAN) metastases.After chemotherapy,a D3 gastrectomy was scheduled for patients with a complete or partial response,stable disease,and progressive disease at 36(46%),28(36%),and 13(17%) of the institutions,respectively.CONCLUSION For patients with apparent PAN metastasis,a D3 gastrectomy is typically planned if a few courses of preoperative chemotherapy yield at least a stable disease condition.

Evaluation of rational extent lymphadenectomy for local advanced gastric cancer

Based upon studies from randomized clinical trials, the extended （D2） lymph node dissection is now recommended as a standard procedure for local advanced gastric cancer worldwide. However, the rational extent lymphadenectomy for local advanced gastric cancer has remained a topic of debate in the past decades. Due to the limitation of low metastatic rate in para-aortic nodes （PAN） in JCOG9501, the clinical benefit of D2＋ para-aortic nodal dissection （PAND） for patients with stage T4 and/or stage N3 disease, which is very common in China and other countries except Japan and Korea, cannot be determined. Furthermore, the role of splenectomy for complete resection of No.10 and No.l I nodes has been controversial, and however, the final results from the randomized trial ofJCOG0110 have yet to be completed. Gastric cancer with the No.14 and No.13 lymph node metastasis is defined as MI stage in the current version of the Japanese classification. We propose that D2~No.14v and ＋No.13 lymphadenectomy may be an option in a potentially curative gastrectomy for tumors with apparent metastasis to the No.6 nodes or infiltrate to duodenum. The examined lymph node and extranodal metastasis are significantly associated with the survival of gastric cancer patients.