Swollen lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer: A forgotten prognostic signal in need of clinical action

Table 1 Impact of swollen lymph node metastasis on survival outcomes in gastric cancer: Summary of prognostic significance from Cui et al[4]

Parameter	SLNM present (n = 139)	SLNM absent (n = 368)	P value
Proportion of LN+ patients (%)	27.4	72.6	-
5-year OS (%)	13.6	35.8	< 0.001
5-year OS (%; matched cohorts, n = 133 per group)	13.4	21.2	0.006
Hazard ratio for mortality (vs no SLNM)	1.32	1.00 as a reference	0.031
Associated tumor stage	T4 primary, N3 nodal stage	Variable	-
Recommended management	Neoadjuvant chemotherapy + D2 gastrectomy + adjuvant therapy	Standard D2 gastrectomy + adjuvant therapy	-

P values from log-rank test or Cox proportional hazards model as reported by Cui et al[4]. SLNM: Swollen lymph node metastasis; OS: Overall survival.