35. Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of younger gastric cancer patients

Objectives: The aims of this study were to define the clinicopathological features and elucidate the prognostic factors of gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) aged 40 years or younger.
Methods: A total of 360 gastric cancer patients undergoing surgical resection during 2001 to 2002 who had complete clinical and pathological records were analysed. We analysed the difference of clinicopathological features and survival between the gastric cancer patients aged ≤40 or >40. We analysed the prognostic factors in the patients ≤40.
Results: There are 45 cases aged ≤40 and 315 cases aged >40 in the whole group. The group of young patients with GC included significantly more women than the group of old patients (P=0.000), more patients with PS 0-1 (P=0.041), more patients located in the lower part P=0.025, more patients with poorly differentiated tumors 114 (P=0.000). Survival rates at 5 years after resection in younger patients and older patients were 74.4% and 60% respectively (P=0.086). The univariate analysis in the younger patients showed the diameter of tumour ≥5 cm. general classification (Borrmann III/IV). Depth of infiltration (T3/T4). Lymph node metastasis (N2/N3). TNM stage (III/IV) and perineural invasion were poorly prognostic factors.
Conclusions: The group of young patients with GC included significantly more women, more patients with PS 0-1, more patients located in the lower part, more patients with poorly differentiated tumors. Survival rates at 5 years after resection were seen to be better in younger patients. The univariate analysis in the younger patients showed big tumour, advanced general classification. Advanced depth of infiltration, advanced nodal involvement, advanced TNM stage and perineural invasion were poorly prognostic factors.