Significance of Omental Infiltration in Gastric Cancer Patients: a Retrospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stomach cancer is a curative disease in early stages. The optimal extent and approach for gastric resection are still evolving. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we examined the value, as well as, the predictors of omental disease spread, retrospectively, in a group of patients with gastric cancer who attended the Oncology Center, Mansoura University, in the period between January 2006 and April 2017. RESULTS: Nodal metastasis, especially heavy disease (N2 and beyond), and advanced stage are predictors of the presence of omental disease. However, neither overall nor disease-free survival is affected by omental infiltration. CONCLUSION: Omental resection will continue being an integral part of gastric resection, but the level of omental cutting needs further studies.