Number of positive lymph nodes and lymph node ratio predict recurrence and survival in hypopharyngeal cancer based on SEER database and validation of real-world data.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the impacts of the number of positive lymph nodes (NPLN) and lymph node ratio (LN ratio) for patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) based on SEER database, which were validated in the real-world data of China. METHODS: A total of 520 patients from SEER database were analyzed. Then 195 patients with pathologically stage III or IV HPSCC in our center were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: In the SEER database, NPLN ≥ 3 was found in 36.9% of patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that LN ratio ≥ 0.138 was significant with poorer overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.525, p = 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR = 1.697, p < 0.001), so was the NPLN ≥ 3 (HR = 1.388, p = 0.013; HR = 1.479, p = 0.008). Patients with NPLN ≥ 3 were found in 103 (52.8%) in our center. Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant association regarding OS (p = 0.005) or CSS (p = 0.003) between patients with LN ratio ≥ 0.138 or not. In addition, disease recurrence rate differed significantly between the patients with NPLN ≥ 3 (27.2%) and NPLN < 3 (14.1%, p = 0.026). Moreover, postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) was significantly associated with better prognosis in patients with NPLN ≥ 3. CONCLUSION: In the SEER database, NPLN ≥ 3 and LN ratio ≥ 0.138 were independent poor prognostic factors for patients with HPSCC. Whereas identifying worldwide cut-off values for LN ratio is difficult and surgeon-dependent. In our cohort, adjuvant CCRT was beneficial for OS in patients with NPLN ≥ 3.

Metastatic lymph node burden impacts overall survival in submandibular gland cancer.

Objective: To assess the effect of the number of positive lymph nodes (LNs) on the overall survival (OS) of patients with submandibular gland cancer (SmGC). Methods: Patients who had undergone neck dissection for SmGC were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The effect of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N stage, the number of positive LNs, LN size, LN ratio, and extranodal extension (ENE) on OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was evaluated using Cox analysis. Prognostic models were proposed based on the identified significant variable, and their performance was compared using hazard consistency and discrimination. Results: In total, 129 patients were included in this study. The number of positive LNs rather than LN ratio, LN size, and ENE was associated with OS. A prognostic model based on the number of positive LNs (0 vs. 1-2 vs. 3+) demonstrated a higher likelihood ratio and Harrell's C index than those according to the 7th/8th edition of the AJCC N stage in predicting OS and RFS. Conclusions: The effect of LN metastasis on OS and RFS was mainly determined by the number of positive LNs. A validation of this finding is warranted in adenoid cystic carcinomas that were not included in this study.

Number of positive lymph nodes is superior to neck stage of the 8th AJCC in predicting prognosis in parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To clarify the impact of the number of positive lymph nodes (LNs) on the prognosis of parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). METHODS: Patients who underwent neck dissection for parotid MEC were retrospectively enrolled. The primary outcome variable was overall survival (OS). Associations between OS and LN factors, including the AJCC N stage, intraparotid LN metastasis, number of positive LNs, LN size, and extranodal extension (ENE), were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 720 patients were included with a mean age of 56 ± 16 years. There was no additional survival compromise until two positive LNs were presented. After adjusting for the number of positive LNs, intraparotid LN metastasis, ENE, and LN size were not related to prognosis. Our proposed N stage based on the number of metastatic LNs (0/1 vs. 2-4 vs. 5+) showed a superior C-index to the AJCC N stage in OS prediction. CONCLUSION: Quantitative LN burden was an important determinant of prognosis, and the proposed N stage provided better OS stratification than the AJCC N stage.

Number of positive lymph nodes affects outcomes in parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Objectives: Survival significance of the number of positive lymph nodes (LNs) in parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) remains unknown; thus, this study aimed to determine the impact of the number of positive LNs on the prognosis of parotid ACC. Methods: Patients with surgically treated parotid ACC were enrolled from the SEER database. The number of positive LNs was analyzed using three models (0 vs 1+, 0 vs 1 vs 2 vs 3 vs 4 vs 4 vs 5 vs 6+, 0/1 vs 2-4 vs 5+), its hazard ratios on disease specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. Results: A total of 1,689 patients were included. In all models, the number of positive LNs was independently related to DSS and OS, model 3 had the highest C-index for DSS [0.83 (95% CI: 0.81-0.85)] and OS [0.82 (95% CI: 0.80-0.84)]. Compared with the 0/1 positive LN group, the 2-4 positive LN group had an HR of 2.81 (95% CI: 1.73-4.56) for DSS and 2.36 (95% CI: 1.58-3.54) for OS. The 5+ LN group had an HR of 20.15 (95% CI: 7.50-54.18) for DSS and 14.20 (95% CI: 5.45-36.97) for OS. No overlap existed in the 95% CI of the HR. Conclusions: The three prognostic categories based on the number of positive LNs (0/1 vs 2-4 vs 5+) could stratify the DSS and OS in parotid ACC without overlap.

Number of positive lymph nodes combined with the logarithmic ratio of positive lymph nodes predicts long-term survival for patients with node-positive parotid gland carcinoma after surgery: a SEER population-based study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of the number of positive lymph nodes (NPLN), the ratio of positive lymph nodes (pLNR), and the logarithmic ratio of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in patients with parotid gland carcinoma. On this basis, establishing and validating an optimal nomogram. METHODS: A total of 895 patients with T1-4N1-3M0 parotid gland carcinoma were included in our study from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patients' data were randomly assigned to the training cohort and the validation cohort by a ratio of 7:3. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between the study factors and the prognosis of parotid gland carcinoma, including overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS). The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to evaluate model fit. Harrell's concordance index (C-index), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and net reclassification index (NRI) were used to evaluate the predictive ability of these models. The decision curve analysis was used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the nomograms compared with the TNM stage. RESULTS: NPLN, pLNR, and LODDS are independent risk factors for the prognostic of PGC. According to the AIC, C index, IDI, and NRI, the models combined with NPLN and LODDS were the best. The decision curves suggested that our nomograms had good predictive abilities for the prognosis of parotid gland carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The two nomograms which contained NPLN and LODDS had the potential to predict OS and CSS in patients with parotid gland carcinoma.

The number of metastatic lymph nodes optimizes staging in patients aged 55 years or older with papillary thyroid cancer.

Purpose: Current staging criteria for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) do not include the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs), which is highly predictive of survival in multiple cancers. The LN metastasis burden is particularly relevant for older adults with thyroid cancer because of their poor prognosis. We examined a modified staging system for this population utilizing node number (Nn). Methods: Overall, 14,341 patients aged 55 years or older with stage I-IVB PTC were identified in the 2004-2015 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Cox regression models were conducted to test the relationship between positive LN number and PTC-specific survival (PTCSS). Independent training/validation sets were used to derive and validate a new revised TNnM grouping. The 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system was compared with TNnM stage by calculating the 10-year PTCSS rates, Harrell's concordance index (C-index), and Akaike's information criterion (AIC). Results: An increase in number of LN metastases was identified as an independent, negative prognostic factor for PTCSS in multivariate analysis. 10-year PTCSS for stage I-IVB based on the AJCC 8th edition TNM were 98.83%, 93.49%, 71.21%, 72.95%, and 58.52%, respectively, while 10-year PTCSS for the corresponding stage in the TNnM were 98.59%, 92.2%, 83.26%, 75.24%, and 56.73%, respectively. The revised TNnM stage was superior, with a higher C-index and a lower AIC in both the training and validation cohorts. Conclusion: The TNnM staging system for PTC patients ≥ 55 years could be associated with improved outcomes. External validation studies of this system are warranted.

A new N descriptor for non-small cell lung cancer: the classification based on anatomic location, number and ratio of metastatic lymph nodes.

Background: The current N classification, which is determined by the anatomical location of positive lymph nodes, does not effectively stratify N1 and N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients into prognostically significant subgroups. Methods: We acquired the clinical data of 3,234 N1 and N2 NSCLC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004-2015). We eliminated patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation because chemotherapy and radiotherapy might lower lymph node stage, and the SEER database does not distinguish between therapy administered before and after surgery. We developed the N-new classification based on the former N stage, the number and ratio of lymph nodes. Patients were finally classified into four categories (N1a, N1b, N2a, N2b). Then, the N-new classification was validated in subgroups based on a variety of clinical characteristics, such as tumor size. The multivariable Cox regression analysis, the decision curve analysis (DCA) and the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were conducted to compare the performance of the N-new classification and the current N classification. Results: The cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival were significantly different among each pair of N-new classification. And the same results were shown in the majority of the subgroups determined by various clinical characteristics. Compared with the current N classification (C-index, 0.639), the N-new classification (C-index, 0.652) performed better in classifying N1 and N2 NSCLC patients into subgroups with distinctive clinical outcomes. The 5-year CSS rates were 49.7%, 41.4%, 30.4% and 20.4% for N1a, N1b, N2a and N2b, respectively. Conclusions: When compared to the current N classification, the N-new classification could be a more reliable and accurate prognostic determinant, which is worth considering in the revision of the 9th edition of the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging system.

Number of Positive Lymph Nodes Combined with the Logarithmic Ratio of Positive Lymph Nodes predicts Survival in Patients with Non-Metastatic Larynx Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Logarithmic ratio of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), number of positive lymph nodes (NPLN), and number of lymph nodes to positive lymph nodes (pLNR) are three lymph node classifications; however, their function in prognosis is unclear. Purpose: To establish and validate an optimal nomogram according to the comparison among the 7th TNM stage of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the three lymph node classifications. Methods: A total of 881 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER database) with T1-4N1-3M0 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma from 2000 to 2018 were involved. The enrolled patients were allocated randomly into a training cohort and a validation cohort. Univariate cox regression analysis and multivariable cox regression analysis were applied to explore the predictors. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Harrell's concordance index (C-index) were to measure the predictive value and the accuracy of the prognostic models. Moreover, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net reclassification index (NRI) were also used to assess the predictive abilities to models. According to the optimal model, nomograms were established and compared with 7th TNM stage of AJCC via the decision curve analysis. Results: NPLN, LODDS, and pLNR were three predictors for the overall and cancer-specific survival in the larynx squamous cell carcinoma. According to the AIC, C-index, IDI, and NRI, the model of NPLN combined with LODDS was assumed as the optimal prognostic model. Moreover, the decision curve analysis suggested that the nomogram demonstrated a better predictive performance, compared with the 7th AJCC TNM stage. Conclusion: The proposed nomograms we constructed for larynx squamous cell carcinoma has potential in the prediction of patients after surgery.

Number of Positive Lymph Nodes Is Superior to LNR and LODDS for Predicting the Prognosis of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) based on the number of positive lymph nodes (PLNs) is the most widely accepted nodal staging system. New nodal staging schemes that take both the number of PLNs and the number of examined lymph nodes into consideration have emerged as useful prognostic tools. The aim of the current study was to determine the most effective nodal staging system, among the 8th edition AJCC N staging (or PLN staging), lymph node ratio (LNR), and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), for predicting the cause-specific survival of patients with PanNENs. Methods: The clinicopathological and prognostic data of 2,295 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, diagnosed with PanNENs between 1988 and 2015, were reviewed retrospectively. Results: A multivariate analysis identified PLN and LNR staging as independent prognostic factors, but not LODDS. The PLN staging exhibited higher C-index and area under the curve values than those of the LNR and LODDS, indicating better predictive discriminatory capacity. No significant difference in the survival of patients was observed within the same PLN staging subgroup according to the number (high or low) of examined lymph nodes. In contrast, intra-group heterogeneity was seen with use of LNR and LODDS staging, due to overestimation of the risk of insufficient examined lymph nodes, and LODDS failed to stratify patients without lymph nodes metastasis into different risk groups. Conclusions: The PLN staging is more reliable than LNR and LODDS staging for predicting the cause-specific survival of PanNENs.

Survival Significance of Number of Positive Lymph Nodes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stratified by p16.

Objectives: To analyze the significance of the number of positive lymph nodes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) stratified by p16. Methods: A total of 674 patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into 4 groups based on their number of positive lymph nodes (0 vs. 1-2 vs. 3-4 vs. ≥5). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates. Cox model was used to evaluate the independent risk factor. Results: p16 showed positivity in 85 patients with a rate of 12.6%. In patients with p16 negativity, the 5-year DFS rates were 52%, 39%, and 21% in patients with 0, 1-2, and 3-4 positive lymph nodes, respectively, in patients with ≥5 positive lymph nodes, all patients developed recurrence within 2 years after operation, the difference was significant; the 5-year DSS rates were 60, 38, and 18% in patients with 0, 1-2, and 3-4 positive lymph nodes, respectively, in patients with ≥5 positive lymph nodes, all patients died within 4-years after operation. The difference was significant. In p16 positivity patients, the 3-year DFS rates were 41% and 17% in patients with 0-2 and ≥3 positive lymph nodes, respectively, the difference was significant; the 3-year DSS rates were 84 and 46% in patients with 0-2 and ≥3 positive lymph nodes, the difference was significant. Conclusions: The number of positive lymph nodes is significantly associated with the survival in oral SCC, its survival effect is not affected by p16 status.

Lymph node staging systems in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The 8th edition of the AJCC has introduced a new nodal staging system for head and neck cancers. Alternate nodal staging systems exist, however they have not been compared to the current AJCC staging system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 643 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treated with surgery ± adjuvant therapy in a single institution between 2004 and 2014 was undertaken. Nodal staging was performed using AJCC 8th edition (AJCC8), number of positive lymph nodes (PN), log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) and lymph node ratio (LNR). Survival analyses for disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed with the different staging systems and they were compared on the basis of hazard consistency, hazard discrimination, explained variation and likelihood difference. RESULTS: Overall, PN and LNR best predicted OS and DFS in our cohort of patients. AJCC8 had poor discrimination between sub-stages of pN2. CONCLUSION: PN and LNR provided the most accurate prediction of OS and DFS for patients with OSCC.

Number of positive lymph nodes and lymphatic invasion are significant prognostic factors after pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Early recurrence of distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) may result in a poorer prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological factors that predict survival and recurrence in patients with DCC. Methods: Fifty-five patients with DCC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2005 and 2015 were studied retrospectively. The following clinicopathological parameters were analyzed as predictors of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS): sex, age, body mass index, presence of biliary tract decompression, macroscopic type, histological type, tumor size, TNM classification, lymph node metastasis ratio, number of positive lymph nodes (PLNs), lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, perineural invasion, proximal bile duct margin, dissected margin, portal system invasion, arterial system invasion, stage, and residual tumor. Results: Univariate analysis showed that contiguous extension of the primary tumor, PLN, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, perineural invasion, and stage were significant prognostic factors for DFS and OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that PLN and lymphatic invasion were prognostic for DFS and OS (P<0.001). Significant differences in OS and DFS were found in analyses stratified by PLN (0, 1, 2 vs ≥3) and lymphatic invasion (0 vs 1, 2, 3). Conclusion: Among the clinicopathological parameters analyzed, PLN and lymphatic invasion were confirmed as prognostic factors for DCC.

Prognostic Significance of D3 Lymph Node for Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of D3 lymph node (TSLN) for the survival of patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 156 patients with R0 resected colorectal cancer were selected from 2011 to 2015 to carry out a retrospective study. The survival rate according to the groups of positive lymph node number (N: 1-3, N2: 4-6, N3: ≥7) and TSLN (TSLN [-], TSLN [+]) was analyzed. The influences of covariates on the 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) were determined by the Cox proportional risk model of backward stepwise analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to draw survival curves between and within groups. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period (44.0 months), the 5-year DFS rate and OS rate were 45.0% and 46.0%, respectively. Survival analysis of the TSLN group showed that the 5-year OS rate and 5-year DFS rate in the TSLN (+) group (20.0 and 16.2%, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the TSLN (-) group (68.3 and 51.6%, respectively) (P < 0.001). The 5-year OS rate and DFS rate of the TSLN (+) and TSLN (-) subgroups in the N1 group were 16.7%, 33.3%, 56.7%, and 55.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that positive lymph node, TSLN, and Pathological T stage were independent prognostic factors of DFS and OS for 5 years. Patients in the TSLN (+) group had a poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: TSLN metastasis is an independent factor influencing the prognosis of patients, and patients with TSLN (+) have a poor prognosis. As an independent prognostic factor, this factor should be considered when evaluating the prognosis of patients.

Comparison of three lymph node staging schemes for predicting the outcome in patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma: A population-based cohort and international multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic roles of three common lymph node staging schemes, number of positive lymph nodes (pN), lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) are unclear. We assessed their prognostic ability in SBA. METHODS: A total of 2128 patients diagnosed with SBA between 1988 and 2010 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and 186 patients from 15 hospitals in France and China were identified. We evaluated the prognostic ability of the schemes in both continuous and stratified patterns using R2, Harrell's C, and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. FINDINGS: For continuous pattern, the LODDS had a better capacity of discrimination and higher accuracy of prognosis than pN and LNR. Similarly, the stratified LODDS classification had a better performance of discrimination and higher accuracy of prognosis than the pN and LNR classification. The multivariable model using the LODDS classification also showed superiorly predictive accuracy and discriminatory capacity to those of the 7th and, 8th TNM node and LNR classification. These results were fully validated in an independent international multicentre cohort. INTERPRETATION: The LODDS scheme showed a better prognostic performance than the LNR or pN schemes in patients with SBA regardless of continuous or stratified pattern. The LODDS scheme could serve as an auxiliary to lymph node staging systems in future revisions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) manual. FUND: This work was funded by the Zhejiang Province Natural Science Fund of China.

[The association of metastasis-related indexes of lymph nodes and the prognosis of stage N2b colorectal cancer patients].

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of lymph node metastasis-related indexes in patients with stage N2b colorectal cancer. Methods: Clinicopathologic data of 245 patients with stage N2b colorectal cancer who initially underwent radical operation in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The prognostic values of several indexes, including number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) were analyzed. Results: The 5-year overall survival rate of 245 patients with colorectal cancer was 54.0%, and the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 48.5%.Univariate analysis showed that perineural or blood vessel invasion, T stage, postoperative adjuvant therapy, number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR, and LODDS were significantly associated with the 5-year overall survival of colorectal cancer patients (P<0.05). Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that, number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR, LODDS were all independent prognostic factors for stage N2b colorectal cancer patients (P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curves of number of positive lymph node, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR and LODDS were 0.649, 0.667, 0.690 and 0.683, respectively, however, no statistical significance was observed between the number of negative lymph nodes (P=0.622), LNR (P=0.178) or LODDS (P=0.272) and the number of positive lymph nodes. Conclusion: The number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR and LODDS were all independent prognostic factors for patients with stage N2b colorectal cancer.

The association of metastasis-related indexes of lymph nodes and the prognosis of stage N2b colorectal cancer patients / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the prognostic value of lymph node metastasis-related indexes in patients with stage N2b colorectal cancer.@*Methods@#Clinicopathologic data of 245 patients with stage N2b colorectal cancer who initially underwent radical operation in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The prognostic values of several indexes, including number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) were analyzed.@*Results@#The 5-year overall survival rate of 245 patients with colorectal cancer was 54.0%, and the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 48.5%.Univariate analysis showed that perineural or blood vessel invasion, T stage, postoperative adjuvant therapy, number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR, and LODDS were significantly associated with the 5-year overall survival of colorectal cancer patients (P<0.05). Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that, number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR, LODDS were all independent prognostic factors for stage N2b colorectal cancer patients (P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curves of number of positive lymph node, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR and LODDS were 0.649, 0.667, 0.690 and 0.683, respectively, however, no statistical significance was observed between the number of negative lymph nodes (P=0.622), LNR (P=0.178) or LODDS (P=0.272) and the number of positive lymph nodes.@*Conclusion@#The number of positive lymph nodes, number of negative lymph nodes, LNR and LODDS were all independent prognostic factors for patients with stage N2b colorectal cancer.

Application value of the different lymph node staging system predicting prognosis of advanced gallbladder carcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the application value of the anatomical location of positive nodes (N staging) from TNM staging systems published by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) (7th edition),number of metastatic lymph nodes (NMLN),lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of metastatic lymph nodes (LODDS) as prognostic predictors in advanced gallbladder carcinoma(GBC).Methods The retrospective crosssectional study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 176 patients who underwent radical resection of advanced GBC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2008 and December 2014 were collected.According to preoperative assessment,intraoperative exploration and frozen section biopsy,staging and surgical procedure were confirmed.Observation indicators and evaluation criteria:(1) surgical and postoperative situations;(2) follow-up and survival situations;(3) N staging related indicators based on TNM staging systems of AJCC (7th edition):LNR =NMLN / total number of lymph node dissection,LODDS =Log (NMLN+0.5) / (total number of lymph node dissection-NMLN+0.5);(4) lymph node staging based on NMLN,LNR and LODDS:LODDS ＜-1.0 as LODDS 1 staging,-1.0 ≤ LODDS ＜ 0 as LODDS 2 staging,LODDS ≥0 as LODDS 3 staging;(5) prognostic comparisons of patients with different lymph node staging;(6) accuracy of 4 different types of lymph node staging predicting the prognosis of patients.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect postoperative survival up to December 31,2017.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as x-±s.Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M (range),and comparisons were done using the nonparametric test.The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method,and the Log-rank test was used for survival comparison.Correlation analysis was done using the Spearman correlation analysis,r ≥ 0.800 as a high correlation,0.500 ≤ r ＜ 0.800 as a moderate correlation and 0.300 ≤ r ＜ 0.500 as a low correlation.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were respectively drawn and calculated based on 4 kinds of binary logistic regression model.Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Harrell concordance index (Harrell c-index) were respectively calculated based on 4 kinds of COX proportional hazard regression model.The larger values of AUC and Harrell c-index caused a smaller value of AIC,but a lymph node staging standard correlated with greater prognostic accuracy.Harrell c-index ＜ 0.50 was no prediction,and 0.50 ≤ Harrell c-index ≤ 1.00 was an obvious prediction.Results (1) Surgical and postoperative situations:176 patients underwent successful radical resection of GBC,including 161 in R0 resection and 15 in R1 resection,99 with D1 lymph node dissection and 77 with D2 lymph node dissection.Of 176 patients,9 with postoperative complications were improved by symptomatic treatment,including 6 with bile leakage,2 with hepatic dysfunction and 1 with intra-abdominal hemorrhage.Results of postoperative pathological examination:total number of lymph node dissection,NMLN and LNR were respectively 6.7±4.4,0 (range,0-12.0) and 0 (range,0-1.00);high-differentiated,moderate-differentiated and low-differentiated tumors were respectively detected in 16,81 and 79 patients;162 and 14 patients were in T3 and T4 stages;60 patients were combined with infiltration of the liver.(2) Follow-up and survival situations:176 patients were followed up for l-118 months,with a median time of 33 months.The 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 63.1％,42.0％ and 32.0％.(3) N staging related indicators based on TNM staging systems ofAJCC (7th edition):95,45 and 36 patients were respectively detected in staging N0,N1 and N2.NMLN,LNR and LODDS were respectively 2.0 (range,1.0-7.0),0.40 (range,0.08-1.00),-0.15 (range,-0.99-1.04) in staging N1 and 4.0 (range,1.0-12.0),0.57 (range,0.13-1.00),0.11 (range,-0.70-1.04) in staging N2,with a statistically significant difference in NMLN (Z=-3.888,P＜0.05) and with no statistically significant difference in LNR and LODDS (Z=-1.492,-1.689,P＞0.05).(4) Lymph node staging based on NMLN,LNR and LODDS:NMLN and LNR as a cut-off point were respectively 4.0 and 0.70,NMLN 1 staging (NMLN=0) was detected in 95 patients,NMLN 2 staging (1.0 ≤ NMLN ≤ 4.0) in 61 patients and NMLN 3 staging (NMLN＞4.0) in 20 patients;LNR 1 staging (LNR=0) was detected in 95 patients,LNR 2 staging (0 ＜ LNR ≤ 0.70) in 58 patients and LNR 3 staging (LNR＞0.70) in 23 patients.LODDS 1,2 and 3 stagings was detected in 61,70 and 45 patients,respectively.The lymph node staging based on NMLN and LNR was significantly correlated with based on N staging of TNM staging systems of AJCC (7th edition) (r =0.949,0.922,P＜0.05);the lymph node staging based on LODDS was moderately correlated with based on N staging of TNM staging systems of AJCC (7th edition) (r =0.758,P＜ 0.05).(5) Prognostic comparisons of patients with different lymph node staging:1-,3-and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 86.3％,65.3％,52.2％ in N0 staging patients and 44.4％,22.2％,13.3％ in N1 staging patients and 25.0％,5.6％,2.8％ in N2 staging patients,with a statistically significant difference (x2=88.895,P＜0.05).The 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 86.3％,65.3％,52.2％ in NMLN 1 staging patients and 47.5％,19.7％,11.1％ in NMLN 2 staging patients and 0,0,0 in NMLN 3 staging patients,with a statistically significant difference (x2=121.086,P＜0.05).The 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 86.3％,65.3％,52.2％ in LNR 1 staging patients and 41.4％,17.2％,11.8％ in LNR 2 staging patients and 17.4％,8.7％,0 in LNR 3 staging patients,with a statistically significant difference (x2 =86.503,P＜ 0.05).The 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 85.2％,65.5％,51.8％ in LODDS 1 staging patients and 65.7％,40.0％,31.3％ in LODDS 2 staging patients and 28.9％,13.3％,5.9％ in LODDS 3 staging patients,with a statistically significant difference (x2=59.195,P＜0.05).(6) Accuracy of 4 different types of lymph node staging predicting the prognosis of patients:according to N staging of TNM staging systems of AJCC (7th edition),NMLN,LNR and LODDS,AUC,AIC and Harrell c-index of lymph node staging were respectively 0.878,0.881,0.870,0.864 and 1 047.5,1 026.4,1 044.2,1 063.6 and 0.77,0.78,0.77,0.76.AIC value was smaller with increased values of AUC and Harrell c-index based on NMLN,showing a greatest accuracy predicting the prognosis of patients.Conclusion Among N staging of TNM staging system of AJCC (7 edition),NMLN,LNR and LODDS as prognostic predictors,NMLN can more precisely predict radical resection of advanced GBC.

Prognostic analysis in a Chinese population with T1-2N1 breast cancer: Did patients with 1 or 2, and 3 positive axillary lymph nodes have similar survival outcomes?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a paucity of data examining whether 1-3 positive lymph nodes patients have similar survival outcomes. The present studies separately analyse survival outcomes of T1-2N1 breast cancer patients according to the number of positive lymph nodes. METHODS: A total of 1,030 patients with T1-2N1 breast cancer were available for analysis. Survival estimates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression models RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis showed progressively worse survival with the increased number of positive lymph nodes. Log-rank test P values were 0.003 (1 vs. 2 positive LNs), <0.0001 (1 vs. 3), and 0.006 (2 vs. 3) for recurrence-free survival (RFS). Log-rank test P values were 0.045 (1 vs. 2), <0.0001 (1 vs. 3), and 0.018 (2 vs. 3) for metastasis-free survival (MFS). Log-rank test P values were 0.101 (1 vs. 2), <0.0001 (1 vs. 3), and 0.005 (2 vs. 3) for overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed that 3 and 2 positive lymph nodes had worse survival compared with 1 positive axillary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study does suggest that T1-2N1 patients showed progressively worse survival outcomes with the increased number of positive lymph nodes.

Relative factors of recurrence and metastasis of advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction after curative resection / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between different clinicopathological factors and the recurrence and metastasis of advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction after curative resection,and to analyze the effects of the factors on the prognosis of these patients.Methods The clinical data of 385 patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who received curative resection at the Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2000 to January 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 228 patients did not have tumor recurrence and metastasis (non-recurrence and metastasis group) and 157 patients had tumor recurrence and metastasis (recurrence and metastasis group).Risk factors which might influence postoperative recurrence and metastasis were analyzed using univariate analysis (chi-square test) and multivariate analysis (Logistic regression model).All patients were followed up via out-patient examination or phone call.The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method,and the survival analysis was done by Log-rank test.Results The median time for follow-up was 36 months (range,3-108 months).A total of 157 patients had postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis,and the mean time of tumor recurrence was 17.9 mouths.The results of univariate analysis showed that tumor type,differentiation degree,invasion depth,number of positive and negative lymph nodes,TNM staging were risk factors for the postoperative recurrence and metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction after curative resection (x2=5.248,13.493,12.319,18.315,9.704,10.281,P ＜ 0.05).The results of multivariate analysis showed that differentiation degree,invasion depth,number of positive and negative lymph nodes were the independent risk factors influencing the recurrence and metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction after curative resection (OR =1.805,1.809,1.520,0.763,P ＜0.05).The numbers of positive lymph nodes in the non-recurrence and metastasis group and the recurrence and metastasis group were 3.86 ± 0.28 and 6.89 ± 0.58,with a significant difference (t =5.118,P ＜ 0.05).The number of negative lymph nodes in the non-recurrence and metastasis group and the recurrence and metastasis group were 14.04 ±0.54 and 10.53 ±0.56,with a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =4.386,P ＜0.05).The 5-year survival rates of patients with the numbers of positive lymph nodes of 0,1-2,3-6 and more than 7 were 46.4％,43.8％,27.1％ and 7.2％,respectively,and the corresponding median survival time were 53,47,35 and 26 months.There was a significant difference in the 5-year survival rate among patients with different numbers of positive lymph nodes (x2 =54.783,P ＜ 0.05).The 5-year survival rates of patients with the number of negative lymph nodes under 9,between 10 and 15 and more than 16 were 22.1％,21.5％ and 45.5％,respectively,and the corresponding median survival time were 28,34,47 months.There was a significant difference in the 5-year survival rate among patients with different numbers of negative lymph nodes (x2=22.814,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Tumor type,invasion depth,number of positive and negative lymph nodes are independent risk factors of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction,and the number of positive and negative lymph nodes are important for the prognosis of patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.