OBJECTIVETo clarify the clinicopathological features and prognosis, and to evaluate the rational surgical therapy for superficial spreading early gastric cancer (EGC).

METHODSSuperficial spreading EGC was defined as tumor invading the mucosa or submucosa layer with the diameter> or =50 mm, and common EGC as tumor with diameter < 50 mm. The clinicopathological data of 62 patients with superficial spreading EGC and 224 patients with common EGC were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSNo significant differences in age, sex, differentiation, depth of invasion, growth manner, vessel involvement and lymph node metastasis were found between superficial spreading and common EGC(P>0.05), but significant differences were seen in tumor site, macroscopic type, scope of gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy between the two groups(P<0.05). Superficial spreading EGC located in the middle or the whole of stomach accounted for 45.2%, and presented mixed macroscopic type more frequently(48.4%), such as II(C+II(A 5 cases, II(C+II(B 9 cases and II(C+III( 16 cases, and more total gastrectomy and more D(2) lymphadenectomy(16.1% and 40.3% respectively) were executed, compared with common EGC. Due to cancer residual,two patients underwent enlargement of the scope of gastrectomy,two underwent total gastrectomy and one underwent operation again after surgery. The 5-, 10-year tumor-free survival rates for superficial spreading EGC were 98.4% and 91.4%, while 97.0% and 91.2% for the common EGC (chi(2)=1.16,P=0.282).

CONCLUSIONSSpecial clinicopathological features can be seen in superficial spreading EGC, and the lesion is superficial and extensive. Prevention of cancer residual in remnant stomach is the key point and D(2) lymphadenectomy is suitable enough for operation.