Abstract

In an effort to analyze recurrence pattem of gastric cancer, we have reviewed medical records of 460 patients operated for gastric cancer at department of Surgery, Seoul National University from 1980 to 1982. Of these patients, 158 patients were found to have recurrence after initial curative resectian of their tumor. Recurrences were detected based on clinical, radiological, and endoscopic findings and by reoperative findings. We analyzed in detail the site and pattern of recurrence based on morphologic and pathologic characteristics of the initial tumor. In 15S patients, total of 566 recurrences were identified. Of total recurrences, 39% were locoregional, 24% were peritoneal, 24% were distant metastasis, and 13% were liver metastasis. 1) Most common manifestation of colo-regional recurrence was obrstuctive jaundice, land loco- regional recurrence tended to occur more frequently (55%) when number of regional lymph node metastasis was less than 3 (P=0.012). 2) Peritoneal recurrence tended to occur more frequently (33%) in poorly differentiated tumors(P= 0.002). 3) Distant metastasis were more frequent(30%) in resectable Stage IV lesions (P=0.012), in tumors located in cardia (39%, P = 0,062), and when more than 10 regional lymph node metastasis was present (3%, P=0.000). 4) Liver metastasis was more frequent (21%) in T, and T, lesions (P=0.026), and in well differentiated tumors (30%, P=D.088). 2. Multivariate analysis on patterns of recurrence and various morphologic and pathologic characteristics of the initial tumor failed to show statistically significant correlation.

• Keywords: Gastric cancer, Recurrence pattem