OBJECTIVETo compare the clinicopathological features of signet ring cell gastric carcinoma (SRCC) with those of non-signet ring cell cancers and explore the prognostic factors of signet ring cell gastric carcinoma.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1447 gastric cancer patients, including gastric signet ring cell and non-signet ring cell cancers. Their clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival data were analyzed.

RESULTSThe differences in the age, sex, tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, TNM classification and surgical type were significant between gastric signet ring cell and non-signet ring cell gastric carcinomas. The 5-year survival rate of the patients with gastric signet ring cell carcinoma was 29.6%, while that of the non-signet ring cell cancers was 42.9% (P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate for each stage of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma and non-signet ring cell cancers was 71.0% and 79.3% for stage I, 45.6% and 58.3% for stage II, 16.9% and 29.2% for stage III, and 6.0% and 11.9% for stage IV cases, respectively, with a significant difference only between stages III and IV cancers (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor diameter, T stage and N stage were independent prognostic factors for signet ring cell gastric carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSThe signet ring cell gastric carcinoma has unique clinicopathological features compared with non-signet ring cell carcinoma. Early detection and treatment can improve the prognosis for patients with gastric signet ring cell carcinoma.