Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Recurrence patterns after curative intent gastrectomy for T1-2N0 gastric adenocarcinoma are poorly defined. We sought to assess timing, patterns, and risk factors for recurrence in patients treated at two high-volume gastric cancer centers in the United States and China. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2011, 1,058 patients underwent curative intent gastrectomy. Recurrences were classified as locoregional, distant, or peritoneal. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: Overall, 7% (76) of our 1,058 patients from the United States (n = 414) and China (n = 644) recurred. Liver (43%) was the most common site of recurrence in both countries (US: 24%, China: 52%), followed by peritoneum (16%), lymph nodes (10%), and anastomosis (8%). Median time to recurrence was 23 months (US: 30 months, China: 23 months), which decreased with increasing T-stage (T1a: 27 months, T1b: 24 months, T2: 22 months). Tumor size (P = 0.001), depth of invasion (P = 0.010), histological type (P = 0.022) and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.001) were independently associated with recurrence. CONCLUSION: Patients infrequently recur following curative intent gastrectomy for T1-2N0 gastric adenocarcinoma. Almost all recurrences occur between six months and 3 years post-operatively, most frequently in distant anatomic locations; selective followup during this time period is recommended. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:745-749. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.