Definition of Prognosis Based on Lymph Node Metastasis and Elevation of Serum C-Reactive Protein for Patients with Gastric Carcinoma Treated with Curative Resection

Purpose. The aim of this study was to develop prognostic criteria based on the combination of nodal metastasis and preoperative elevation of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) for patients with gastric carcinoma that have been treated with curative resection. Methods. Three hundred and twenty patients with gastric carcinoma who had been treated with curative resection were enrolled. One point was provided for each incidence of nodal metastasis and preoperative elevation of serum CRP and we examined whether this cumulative score system could provide a strict stratification of survival. Results. Significant differences regarding survival were observed both between patients with scores of 0 and 1 (P < 0.0001) and between patients with scores of 1 and 2 (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that the cumulative score (P = 0.0003) and the depth of the tumor (P = 0.016) were independent prognostic indicators. Conclusions. Criteria for the prediction of prognosis in gastric carcinoma treated with curative resection based on tumor-related and host-related factors could provide a strict stratification.