OBJECTIVETo analyze the differences among gastric cancers in different locations (upper, middle, and lower) in the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of gastric cancer.

METHODClinicopathological data of 146 patients with gastric cancer undergone radical gastrectomy from January 2001 to December 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients were divided into three groups:tumors in the upper third of the stomach (group U), middle third (group M) and lower third (group L).

RESULTSThere were significant differences in the the Borrmann types among three groups and between every two groups (P<0.01). Compared with group M and group L, cases in group U were older (P=0.034), had a larger tumor size (P=0.001) and limited extent of lymph node dissection (P=0.009). Compared with group M and group U, cases in group L had earlier nodal status P=0.007) and TNM stage (P=0.020), and the recurrence rate was lower (P=0.006). Survival time of group M and group U was significantly shorter than that of group L (P=0.007, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONSTumors in the upper third and the lower third of stomach are associated with distinct clinicopathological characteristics whereas tumor in the middle third shares some characteristics of both entities. The prognosis differs significantly among tumor locations.