RESUMEN
Objective:To explore the general pattern of lymph node metastasis and its effect on prognosis in early gastric cancer.Methods:The clinicopathological and follow-up data of early gastric cancer cases from 1990.6~2000.6 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The tumor size and depth of invasion were related to lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer.The 5-year survival rate of patients with node-positive early gastric cancer was significantly lower than those of patients with node-negative,72.4% and 92.5% respectively.The 5-year survival rate of patients with ≥4 metastatic lymph nodes was significantly lower than those of patients with 1~3 metastatic lymph nodes,50.0% and 84.2% respectively.Conclusion:Lymph node metastasis is the independent prognostic factor.Postoperative therapy should be recommended for the patients with ≥4 metastatic lymph nodes.