Predictive value of machine learning models for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer: A two-center study

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system,ranking sixth in incidence and fourth in mortality worldwide.Since 42.5%of metastatic lymph nodes in gastric cancer belong to nodule type and peripheral type,the application of imaging diagnosis is restricted.AIM To establish models for predicting the risk of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients using machine learning(ML)algorithms and to evaluate their pre-dictive performance in clinical practice.METHODS Data of a total of 369 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy at the Depart-ment of General Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University(Xuzhou,China)from March 2016 to November 2019 were collected and retro-spectively analyzed as the training group.In addition,data of 123 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy at the Department of General Surgery of Jining First People’s Hospital(Jining,China)were collected and analyzed as the verifi-cation group.Seven ML models,including decision tree,random forest,support vector machine(SVM),gradient boosting machine,naive Bayes,neural network,and logistic regression,were developed to evaluate the occurrence of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.The ML models were established fo-llowing ten cross-validation iterations using the training dataset,and subsequently,each model was assessed using the test dataset.The models’performance was evaluated by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of each model.RESULTS Among the seven ML models,except for SVM,the other ones exhibited higher accuracy and reliability,and the influences of various risk factors on the models are intuitive.CONCLUSION The ML models developed exhibit strong predictive capabilities for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer,which can aid in personalized clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Nomogram established using risk factors of early gastric cancer for predicting the lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND For the prognosis of patients with early gastric cancer(EGC),lymph node metastasis(LNM)plays a crucial role.A thorough and precise evaluation of the patient for LNM is now required.AIM To determine the factors influencing LNM and to construct a prediction model of LNM for EGC patients.METHODS Clinical information and pathology data of 2217 EGC patients downloaded from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results database were collected and analyzed.Based on a 7:3 ratio,1550 people were categorized into training sets and 667 people were assigned to testing sets,randomly.Based on the factors influencing LNM determined by the training sets,the nomogram was drawn and verified.RESULTS Based on multivariate analysis,age at diagnosis,histology type,grade,T-stage,and size were risk factors of LNM for EGC.Besides,nomogram was drawn to predict the risk of LNM for EGC patients.Among the categorical variables,the effect of grade(well,moderate,and poor)was the most significant prognosis factor.For training sets and testing sets,respectively,area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of nomograms were 0.751[95%confidence interval(CI):0.721-0.782]and 0.786(95%CI:0.742-0.830).In addition,the calibration curves showed that the prediction model of LNM had good consistency.CONCLUSION Age at diagnosis,histology type,grade,T-stage,and tumor size were independent variables for LNM in EGC.Based on the above risk factors,prediction model may offer some guiding implications for the choice of subsequent therapeutic approaches for EGC.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis in early gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma:A real-world retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Signet-ring cell carcinoma(SRCC)was previously thought to have a worse prognosis than other differentiated gastric cancer(GC),however,recent studies have shown that the prognosis of SRCC is related to pathological type.We hypothesize that patients with SRCC and with different SRCC pathological components have different probability of lymph node metastasis(LNM).AIM To establish models to predict LNM in early GC(EGC),including early gastric SRCC.METHODS Clinical data from EGC patients who had undergone gastrectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2012 to March 2022 were reviewed.The patients were divided into three groups based on type:Pure SRCC,mixed SRCC,and non-signet ring cell carcinoma(NSRC).The risk factors were identified through statistical tests using SPSS 23.0,R,and EmpowerStats software.RESULTS A total of 1922 subjects with EGC were enrolled in this study,and included 249 SRCC patients and 1673 NSRC patients,while 278 of the patients(14.46%)presented with LNM.Multivariable analysis showed that gender,tumor size,depth of invasion,lymphovascular invasion,ulceration,and histological subtype were independent risk factors for LNM in EGC.Establishment and analysis using prediction models of EGC showed that the artificial neural network model was better than the logistic regression model in terms of sensitivity and accuracy(98.0%vs 58.1%,P=0.034;88.4%vs 86.8%,P<0.001,respectively).Among the 249 SRCC patients,LNM was more common in mixed(35.06%)rather than in pure SRCC(8.42%,P<0.001).The area under the ROC curve of the logistic regression model for LNM in SRCC was 0.760(95%CI:0.682-0.843),while the area under the operating characteristic curve of the internal validation set was 0.734(95%CI:0.643-0.826).The subgroups analysis of pure types showed that LNM was more common in patients with a tumor size>2 cm(OR=5.422,P=0.038).CONCLUSION A validated prediction model was developed to recognize the risk of LNM in EGC and early gastric SRCC,which can aid in pre-surgical decision making of the best method of treatment for patients.

Feasibility of endoscopic treatment and predictors of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been routinely performed in applicable early gastric cancer (EGC) patients as an alternative to conventional surgical operations that involve lymph node dissection. The indications for ESD have been recently expanded to include larger, ulcerated, and undifferentiated mucosal lesions, and differentiated lesions with slight submucosal invasion. The risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the most important consideration when deciding on a treatment strategy for EGC. Despite the advantages over surgical procedures, lymph nodes cannot be removed by ESD. In addition, whether patients who meet the expanded indications for ESD can be managed safely remains controversial. AIM To determine whether the ESD indications are applicable to Chinese patients and to investigate the predictors of LNM in EGC. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 12552 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer between June 2007 and December 2018 at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. A total of 1262 (10.1%) EGC patients were eligible for inclusion in this study. Data on the patients’ clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics were collected. The absolute and expanded indications for ESD were validated by regrouping the enrolled patients and determining the positive LNM results in each subgroup. Predictors of LNM in patients were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS LNM was observed in 182 (14.4%) patients. No LNM was detected in the patients who met the absolute indications (0/90). LNM occurred in 4/311 (1.3%) patients who met the expanded indications. According to univariate analysis, LNM was significantly associated with positive tumor marker status, medium (20-30 mm) and large (>30 mm) lesion sizes, excavated macroscopic-type tumors, ulcer presence, submucosal invasion (SM1 and SM2), poor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion, and diffuse and mixed Lauren’s types. Multivariate analysis demonstrated SM1 invasion (odds ration [OR]= 2.285, P = 0.03), SM2 invasion (OR = 3.230, P < 0.001), LVI (OR = 15.702, P < 0.001), mucinous adenocarcinoma (OR = 2.823, P = 0.015), and large lesion size (OR = 1.900, P = 0.006) to be independent risk factors. CONCLUSION The absolute indications for ESD are reasonable, and the feasibility of expanding the indications for ESD requires further investigation. The predictors of LNM include invasion depth, LVI, mucinous adenocarcinoma, and lesion size.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis and sentinel node navigation surgery for patients with early-stage gastric cancer

Accurate prediction of lymph node(LN) status is crucially important for appropriate treatment planning in patients with early gastric cancer(EGC). However,consensus on patient and tumor characteristics associated with LN metastasis are yet to be reached. Through systematic search,we identified several independent variables associated with LN metastasis in EGC,which should be included in future research to assess which of these variables remain as significant predictors of LN metastasis. On the other hand,even if we use these promising parameters,we should realize the limitation and the difficulty of predicting LN metastasis accurately. The sentinel LN(SLN) is defined as first possible site to receive cancer cells along the route of lymphatic drainage from the primary tumor. The absence of metastasis in SLN is believed to correlate with the absence of metastasis in downstream LNs. In this review,we have attempted to focus on several independent parameters which have close relationship between tumor and LN metastasis in EGC. In addition,we evaluated the history of sentinel node navigation surgery and the usefulness for EGC.

Risk factors for lymph node metastasis and evaluation of reasonable surgery for early gastric cancer

AIM: To give the evidence for rationalizing surgical therapy for early gastric cancer with different lymph node status. METHODS: A series of 322 early gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy with more than 15 lymph nodes retrieved were reviewed in this study. The rate of lymph node metastasis was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the independent factors for predicting lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: No metastasis was detected in No.5, 6 lymph nodes (LN) during proximal gastric cancer total gastrectomy, and in No.10, 11p, 11d during for combined resection of spleen and splenic artery and in No.15 LN during combined resection of transverse colon mesentery. No.11p, 12a, 14v LN were proved negative for metastasis. The global metastastic rate was 14.6% for LN, 5.9% for mucosa, and 22.4% for submucosa carcinoma, respectively. The metastasis in group Ⅱ?was almost limited in No.7, 8a LN. Multivariate analysis identified that the depth of invasion, histological type and lymphatic invasion were independent risk factors for LN metastasis. No metastasis from distal cancer (≤ 1.0 cm in diameter) was detected in group Ⅱ?LN. The metastasis rate increased significantly when the diameter exceeded 3.0 cm. All tumors (≤ 1.0 cm in diameter) with LN metastasis and mucosa invasion showed a depressed macroscopic type, and all protruded carcinomas were > 3.0 cm in diameter. CONCLUSION: Segmental/subtotal gastrectomy plus D1/D1 + No.7 should be performed for carcinoma (≤ 1.0 cm in diameter, protruded type and mucosa invasion).Subtotal gastrectomy plus D2 or D1 + No.7, 8a, 9 is the most rational operation, whereas No.11p, 12a, 14v lymphadenectomy should not be recommended routinely for poorly differentiated and depressed type of submucosa carcinoma (> 3.0 cm in diameter). Total gastrectomy should not be performed in proximal, so does combined resection or D2+/D3 lymphadenectomy.

Construction and external validation of a nomogram that predicts lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer patients using preoperative parameters

Objective: To create a nomogram to predict the incidence of lymph node metastasis(LNM) in early gastric cancer(EGC) patients and to externally validate the nomogram.Methods: To construct the nomogram,we retrospectively analyzed a primary cohort of 272 EGC patients.Univariate analysis and a binary logistic regression were performed.A nomogram predicting the incidence of LNM in EGC patients was created.The discrimination ability of the nomogram was measured using the concordance index(c-index),and the nomogram was also calibrated.Then,another prospective cohort of 81 patients was analyzed to validate the nomogram.Results: In the primary cohort,LNM was pathologically confirmed in 37(13.6%) patients.In multivariate analysis,the presence of an ulcer,the maximum lesion diameter observed via gastroscopy,the thickness of the lesion observed via endoscopic ultrasonography,and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes on computed tomography(CT) were independent risk factors for LNM.A nomogram was then created based on the regression model with the c-index of 0.905,and the calibration curve of the nomogram fell approximately on the ideal 45-degree line.The cut-off score of the nomogram was 110,and the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive and negative predictive values of the nomogram in the primary cohort were 81.1%,86.0%,47.6% and 96.7%,respectively,and in the prospective validation cohort were 75.0%,91.0%,60.0% and 95.5%,respectively.The calibration curve of the external validation cohort was almost on the 45-degree line.Conclusions: We developed an effective nomogram predicting the incidence of LNM for EGC patients.

Association of serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C and lymphatic vessel density with lymph node metastasis and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer

AIM： To investigate whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C （SVEGF-C）, VEGF-C, and lymphatic vessel density （LVD） in tumor tissues are related to lymph node metastasis （LNM） and prognosis in gastric cancer. METHODS： SVEGF-C levels of 80 gastric cancer patients and 20 healthy donors were examined using ELISA. VEGF-C expression and LVD were examined using immunohistochemical staining. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to determine their influence on the prognosis of the patients. RESULTS： The SVEGF-C level in gastric cancer patients （595.9 ± 201.0 ng/L） was significantly higher （P = 0.000） than controls （360.0 ± 97.4 ng/L）. Both SVEGF-C and LVD were significantly higher in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, T3 and T4, LNM, distant metastasis, and pTNM groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ （P = 0.000）. The sensitivity and specificity of SVEGF-C for predicting LNM were 82.8% and 81.8%, respectively （cut-off = 542.5 ng/L）. The positive expression rate of VEGF-C was significantly higher in cancerous than in normal tissues （65% vs 20%; P = 0.001）. VEGF-C expression up-regulation was significantly related to differentiation, depth of invasion, LNM, distant metastasis, and pTNM stage （P = 0.000）. LVD was 10.7 ± 3.1/200 HP in the experimental group vs 4.9 ± 1.3/200 HP in controls （P = 0.000）; LVD in cancerous tissues with and without LNM was 12.0 ± 2.7/200 HP vs 7.6 ± 0.5/200 HP, respectively （P = 0.000）. SVEGF-C and LVD were significantly higher in VEGF-C positive than in negative patients （P = 0.000）; SVEGF-C level was related to LVD （P = 0.000）. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis factors predicating poor prognosis were： SVEGF-C level （P = 0.001）, VEGF-C expression and LVD （both P = 0.000）. CONCLUSION： SVEGF-C level, VEGF-C and LVD are related to LNI and poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer, SVEGF-C may be a biomarker for LNI in gastric cancer,

Potentially predictive microRNAs of gastric cancer with metastasis to lymph node

AIM:To detect the expression of 60 microRNAs(miRNAs)in gastric cancer tissues and find new predictive biomarkers of gastric cancer with metastasis.METHODS:The expressions of 60 candidate miRNAs in 30 gastric cancer tissues and paired normal tissues were detected by stem-loop real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.After primary screening of miRNAs expression,5 selected miRNAs were further testified in another 22 paired gastric tissues.Based on the expression level of miRNAs and the status of metastasis to lymph node(LN),receiver-operating-characteristic(ROC)curve were used to evaluate their ability in predicting the status of metastasis to LN.RESULTS:Thirty-eight miRNAs expressions in gastric cancer tissues were significantly different from those in paired normal tissues(P<0.01).Among them,31miRNAs were found to be up-expressed in cancer tissues and 1 miRNAs were down-expressed≥1.5 fold vs paired normal gastric tissue.Five microRNAs(miR-125a-3p,miR-133b,miR-143,miR-195 and miR-212)were differently expressed between different metastatic groups in 30 gastric cancer biopsies(P<0.05).Partial correlation analysis showed that hsa-mir-212 and hsa-mir-195 were correlated with the status of metastasis to LN in spite of age,gender,tumor location,tumor size,depth of invasion and cell differentiation.ROC analysis indicated that miR-212 and miR-195 have better sensi-tivities(84.6%and 69.2%,respectively)and specifici-ties(both 100%)in distinguishing biopsies with metastasis to LN from biopsies without metastasis to LN.CONCLUSION:miR-212 and miR-195 could be independent biomarkers in predicting the gastric cancer with metastasis to LN.

Diagnostic ability of multi-detector spiral computed tomography for pathological lymph node metastasis of advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The reliability of preoperative nodal diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer by multi-detector spiral computed tomography(MDCT)is still unclear.AIM To examine the diagnostic ability of MDCT more precisely by using data on intranodal pathological metastatic patterns.METHODS A total of 108 patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent MDCT and curative gastrectomy at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital were enrolled in this study.The nodal sizes measured on computed tomography(CT)images were compared with the pathology results.A receiver-operating characteristic curve was constructed,from which the critical value(CV)was calculated by using the data of the first 69 patients retrospectively.By using the CV,sensitivity and specificity were calculated with prospectively collected data from 39 consecutive patients.This enabled a more precise one-to-one correspondence of lymph nodes between CT and pathological examination by using the size data of lymph node mapping.The intranodal pathological metastatic patterns were classified into the following four types:Small nodular,peripheral,large nodular,and diffuse.RESULTS Although all the cases were clinically suspected as having metastasis,81 had lymph node metastasis and 27 had no metastasis.The number of dissected,detected on CT,and metastatic nodes were,4241,897,and 801,respectively.The CV obtained from the receiver-operating characteristic was 7.6 mm for the long axis.The sensitivity was 91.4%and the specificity was 47.3%in the prospective phase.The large nodular and diffuse metastases were easy to diagnose becausemetastatic nodes with a large axis often exhibit these forms.CONCLUSION The ability of MDCT to contribute to a nodal diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer was examined prospectively with precise size data from node mapping,using a CV of 7.6 mm for the long axis that was calculated from the retrospectively collected data.The sensitivity was as high as 91%,and would be improved when referring to the enhanced patterns.However,its specificity was as low as 47%,because most of metastatic nodes in gastric cancer being small in size.The small nodular or peripheral type metastatic nodes were often small and considered difficult to diagnose.

Predictive factors for lymph node metastasis and defining a subgroup treatable for laparoscopic lymph node dissection after endoscopic submucosal dissection in poorly differentiated early gastric cancer

AIM To investigate the predictive factors of lymph node metastasis(LNM)in poorly differentiated early gastric cancer(EGC);to guide the individual application of a combination of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)and laparoscopic lymph node dissection(LLND)in a suitable subgroup of patients with poorly differentiated EGC.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 138 patients with poorly differentiated EGC who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy between January 1990 and December 2015.The association between the clinicopathological factors and the presence of LNM was retrospectively analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Odds ratios(OR)with 95%confidence interval(95%CI)were calculated.We further examined the relationship between the positive number of the significant predictive factors and the LNM rate.RESULTS The tumor diameter(OR=13.438,95%CI:1.773-25.673,P=0.029),lymphatic vessel involvement(LVI)(OR=38.521,95%CI:1.975-68.212,P=0.015)and depth of invasion(OR=14.981,95%CI:1.617-52.844,P=0.024)were found to be independent risk factors for LNM by multivariate analysis.For the 138 patients diagnosed with poorly differentiated EGC,21(15.2%)had LNM.For patients with one,two and three of the risk factors,the LNM rates were 7.7%,47.6%and 64.3%,respectively.LNM was not found in 77 patients that did not have one or more of the three risk factors.CONCLUSION ESD might be sufficient treatment for intramucosal poorly differentiated EGC if the tumor is less than or equal to2 cm in size and when LVI is absent upon postoperative histological examination.ESD with LLND may lead to the elimination of unnecessary gastrectomy in poorly differentiated EGC.

Risk clinicopathological factors for lymph node metastasis in poorly differentiated early gastric cancer and their impact on laparoscopic wedge resection

AIM:To investigate the predictive factors of lymph node metastasis(LNM) in poorly differentiated early gastric cancer(EGC),and enlarge the possibility of using laparoscopic wedge resection(LWR).METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed 85 patients with poorly differentiated EGC who underwent surgical resection between January 1992 and December 2010.The association between the clinicopathological factors and the presence of LNM was retrospectively analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Odds ratios(OR) with 95%CI were calculated.We further examined the relationship between the positive number of the three significant predictive factors and the LNM rate.RESULTS:In the univariate analysis,tumor size(P = 0.011),depth of invasion(P = 0.007) and lymphatic vessel involvement(P < 0.001) were significantly associated with a higher rate of LNM.In the multivariate model,tumor size(OR = 7.125,95%CI:1.251-38.218,P = 0.041),depth of invasion(OR = 16.624,95%CI:1.571-82.134,P = 0.036) and lymphatic vessel involvement(OR = 39.112,95%CI:1.745-123.671,P = 0.011) were found to be independently risk clinicopathological factors for LNM.Of the 85 patients diagnosed with poorly differentiated EGC,12(14.1%) had LNM.The LNM rates were 5.7%,42.9% and 57.1%,respectively in cases with one,two and three of the risk factors respectively in poorly differentiated EGC.There was no LNM in 29 patients without the three risk clinicopathological factors.CONCLUSION:LWR alone may be sufficient treatment for intramucosal poorly differentiated EGC if the tumor is less than or equal to 2.0 cm in size,and when lymphatic vessel involvement is absent at postoperative histological examination.

Machine learning-based gray-level co-occurrence matrix signature for predicting lymph node metastasis in undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The most important consideration in determining treatment strategies for undifferentiated early gastric cancer(UEGC)is the risk of lymph node metastasis(LNM).Therefore,identifying a potential biomarker that predicts LNM is quite useful in determining treatment.AIM To develop a machine learning(ML)-based integral procedure to construct the LNM gray-level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM)prediction model.METHODS We retrospectively selected 526 cases of UEGC confirmed through pathological examination after radical gastrectomy without endoscopic treatment in four tertiary hospitals between January 2015 to December 2021.We extracted GLCM-based features from grayscale images and applied ML to the classification of candidate predictive variables.The robustness and clinical utility of each model were evaluated based on the following factors:Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),decision curve analysis,and clinical impact curve.RESULTS GLCM-based feature extraction significantly correlated with LNM.The top 7 GLCM-based factors included inertia value 0°(IV_0),inertia value 45°(IV_45),inverse gap 0°(IG_0),inverse gap 45°(IG_45),inverse gap full angle(IG_all),Haralick 30°(Haralick_30),Haralick full angle(Haralick_all),and Entropy.The areas under the ROC curve(AUCs)of the random forest classifier(RFC)model,support vector machine,eXtreme gradient boosting,artificial neural network,and decision tree ranged from 0.805[95%confidence interval(CI):0.258-1.352]to 0.925(95%CI:0.378-1.472)in the training set and from 0.794(95%CI:0.237-1.351)to 0.912(95%CI:0.355-1.469)in the testing set,respectively.The RFC(training set:AUC:0.925,95%CI:0.378-1.472;testing set:AUC:0.912,95%CI:0.355-1.469)model that incorporates Entropy,Haralick_all,Haralick_30,IG_all,IG_45,IG_0,and IV_45 had the highest predictive accuracy.CONCLUSION The evaluation results indicate that the method of selecting radiological and textural features becomes more effective in the LNM discrimination against UEGC patients.Additionally,the MLbased prediction model developed using the RFC can be used to derive treatment options and identify LNM,which can hence improve clinical outcomes.

Nomogram for predicting lymph node metastasis rate of submucosal gastric cancer by analyzing clinicopathological characteristics associated with lymph node metastasis

Background： To combine dinicopathological characteristics associated with lymph node metastasis for submucosal gastric cancer into a nomogram. Methods： We retrospectively analyzed 262 patients with submucosal gastric cancer who underwent D2 gastrectomy between 1996 and 2012. The relationship between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features was statistically analyzed. With multivariate logistic regression analysis, we made a nomogram to predict the possibility of lymph node metastasis. Receiver operating characteristic （ROC） analysis was also performed to assess the predictive value of the model. Discrimination and calibration were performed using internal validation. Results： A total number of 48 （18.3%） patients with submucosal gastric cancer have pathologically lymph node metastasis. For submucosal gastric carcinoma, lymph node metastasis was associated with age, tumor location, macroscopic type, size, differentiation, histology, the existence of ulcer and lymphovascular invasion in univariate analysis （all P〈0.05）. The multivariate logistic old, macroscopic type III or mixed, undifferentiated type, regression analysis identified that age _〈50 years and presence of lymphovascular invasion were independent risk factors of lymph node metastasis in submucosal gastric cancer （all P〈0.05）. We constructed a predicting nomogram with all these factors for lymph node metastasis in submucosal gastric cancer with good discrimination [area under the curve （AUC） =0.844]. Internal validation demonstrated a good discrimination power that the actual probability corresponds closely with the predicted probability. Conclusions： We developed a nomogram to predict the rate of lymph node metastasis for submucosal gastric cancer. With good discrimination and internal validation, the nomogram improved individualized predictions for assisting clinicians to make appropriated treatment decision for submucosal gastric cancer patients.

Nomogram using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Lymph node(LN)metastasis is an important prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer(GC).However,the evaluation of LN metastasis status in the preoperative setting is not accurate.Therefore,precise preoperative prediction of LN metastasis status is crucial for optimal treatment in patients with GC.AIM To develop a preoperative nomogram for LN metastasis using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose(F-18 FDG)positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)and preoperative laboratory test findings in GC.METHODS In this study,the data of 566 GC patients who underwent preoperative F-18 FDG PET/CT and subsequent surgical resection were analyzed.The LN metastasis prediction model was developed in the training cohort and validated in the internal validation cohort.Routine preoperative laboratory tests,including albumin and carbohydrate antigen(CA)19-9 were performed in all patients.Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was performed to validate the preoperative predictive indicators for LN metastasis.RESULTS Of the 566 patients,232(41%)had confirmed histopathologic LN metastasis.Univariate logistic regression revealed that the tumor location,blood hemoglobin,serum albumin levels,neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,platelet to lymphocyte ratio,CA 19-9,maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)of the primary tumor(T_SUVmax),and SUVmax of LN(N_SUVmax)were significantly associated with LN metastasis.In multivariate analysis,T_SUVmax(OR=1.08;95%CI:1.02–1.15;P=0.011)and N_SUVmax(OR=1.49;95%CI:1.19–1.97;P=0.002)were found to be significant predictive factors for LNmetastasis.The LN metastasis prediction model using T_SUVmax,N_SUVmax,serum albumin,and CA 19-9 yielded an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.733(95%CI:0.683–0.784,P=0.025)in the training cohort and AUC of 0.756(95%CI:0.678–0.833,P<0.001)in the test cohort.CONCLUSION T_SUVmax and N_SUVmax measured by preoperative F-18 FDG PET/CT are independent predictive factors for LN metastasis in GC.

Seven synchronous early gastric cancer with 28 lymph nodes metastasis

An 85 year male patient complaining epigastric discomfort was admitted.From the esophagogastroduodenoscopy,three early gastric cancer(EGCa)lesions had been identified and these were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma with poorly differentiated cell type.The patient underwent operation.From the post-operative mapping,however,additional 4 EGCa lesions were found,and the patient was diagnosed with 7 synchronous EGCa.Out of the 7 EGCa lesions,6 had shown invasion only to the mucosal layer and one had shown invasion into the 1/3layer of submucosa.In spite of such superficial invasions,28 of 48 lymph nodes had been identified as metastases.The multiple lesions of EGCa do not increase the risk of lymph node metastasis,but if their differentiations are poor or if they have lympho-vascular invasion,multiple lymph node metastases could incur even if the depth of invasion is limited to the mucosal layer or the upper portion of the submucosal layer.

Clinicopathological Characteristics as Predictive Factrs for Lymph Node Metastasis in Submucosal Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE To identify clinicopathological characteristics as predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in submucosal gastric cancer, and in addi- tion to establish objective criteria as indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS Data from 130 patients with submucosal gastric cancer were collected, and the relationship between their clinicopathological characteris- tics and the presence of lymph node metastasis was retrospectively analyzed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS In the multivariate logistic regression model, a tumor size of 2 cm or more and an undifferentiated histologic type were found to be inde- pendent risk clinicopathological characteristics for lymph node metastasis. Among 130 patients with submucosal carcinoma, no lymph node metastases were observed in 17 patients who showed neither of the two risk clinicopath- ological characteristics. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 61.1% (22/36) of the patients who had both risk clinicopathological characteristics. CONCLUSION A tumor size of 2 cm or more and an undifferentiated histologic type were significantly and independently related to lymph node metastasis in submucosal gastric cancer. It is rational for the paitients with neither of these two independent risk clinicopathological characteristics to undergo an ESD.

Lateral pelvic lymph nodes for rectal cancer:A review of diagnosis and management

The current status and future prospects for diagnosis and treatment of lateral pelvic lymph node(LPLN)metastasis of rectal cancer are described in this review.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is recommended for the diagnosis of LPLN metastasis.A LPLN-positive status on MRI is a strong risk factor for metastasis,and evaluation by MRI is important for deciding treatment strategy.LPLN dissection(LPLD)has an advantage of reducing recurrence in the lateral pelvis but also has a disadvantage of complications;therefore,LPLD may not be appropriate for cases that are less likely to have LPLN metastasis.Radiation therapy(RT)and chemoradiation therapy(CRT)have limited effects in cases with suspected LPLN metastasis,but a combination of preoperative CRT and LPLD may improve the treatment outcome.Thus,RT and CRT plus selective LPLD may be a rational strategy to omit unnecessary LPLD and produce a favorable treatment outcome.

Characteristics of lymph node stations/basins metastasis and construction and validation of a preoperative combination prediction model that accurately excludes lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer

Objective:To explore the candidate indications for function-preserving curative gastrectomy and sentinel lymph node navigation surgery in early gastric cancer(EGC).Methods:The clinicopathological data of 561 patients with EGC who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Peking University Cancer Hospital from November 2010 to November 2020 with postoperative pathological stage pT1 and complete examination data,were collected.Pearson’s Chi-square test was used and binary logistic regression was employed for univariate and multivariate analyses.Combined analysis of multiple risk and protective factors for lymph node metastasis(LNM)of EGC was performed.A negative predictive value(NPV)combination model was built and validated.Results:LNM occurred in 85 of 561 patients with EGC,and the LNM rate was 15.15%.NPV for LNM reached 100%based on three characteristics,including ulcer-free,moderately well differentiation and patient<65years old or tumor located at the proximal 1/3 of the stomach.Regarding lymphatic basin metastasis,multivariate analysis showed that the metastatic proportion of the left gastric artery lymphatic basin was significantly higher in male patients compared with female patients(65.96%vs.38.89%,P<0.05).The proportion of right gastroepiploic artery lymphatic basin metastasis in patients with a maximum tumor diameter>2 cm was significantly greater than that noted in patients with a maximum tumor diameter≤2 cm(60.78%vs.28.13%,P<0.05).Conclusions:Characteristics of lymph node stations/basins metastasis will facilitate precise lymph node resection.The NPV for LNM reaches 100%based on the following two conditions:young and middle-aged EGC patients,well-differentiated tumors,and without ulcers;or well-differentiated tumors,without ulcers,and tumors located in the proximal stomach.These findings can be used as the recommended indications for functionpreserving curative gastrectomy and sentinel lymph node navigation surgery.

Predictive factors of lymph node metastasis in intramucosal poorly differentiated early gastric cancer and their impact on the laparoscopic surgery

Objective The aim of this study was to identify clinicopathological factors predictive of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in intramucosal poorly differentiated early gastric cancer (EGC), and further to expand the possibility of using laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of intramucosal poorly differentiated EGC.