Survival Based On The Pathologic Lymph Node Ratio For Local Advanced Gastric Cancer; Elderly Patients Versus Non Elderly Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic value of the pathological lymph node ratio for elderly and non-elderly gastric cancer patients and to evaluate whether there is a difference in the survival of patients with the same LNR (Lymph Node Ratio). Materials: and Methods A total of 222 patients diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer and who underwent gastrectomy were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to age. Clinicopathological properties of the two groups were compared. Potential prognostic factors affecting survival were analyzed. Subsequently, the effect of lymphadenectomy and LNR on survival in both groups was evaluated. Results: : Significant differences were detected in terms of the location of primary lesions, hemoglobin and albumin levels between elderly patients and non-elderly patients (p < .05). Overall survival (OS) was significantly worse in elderly patients (22 months vs. 67 months, p<0.001). The survival rates in elderly patients were significantly lower from those of non-elderly in the subgroup LNR Stage 2 (12.1% vs. 47.9 %, P = 0.004) and LNR Stage 3 classification (9.1% vs. 34.1%, P = 0.039). LNR was found to be significant for OS with a cut-off point of 0.18. Conclusion: A survival difference was found between the elderly and non-elderly patients with the same LNR. LNR was found to be an independent factor for survival especially in elderly patients. Survival was found to be further decreased in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients with increasing LNR.