The Psychological and Clinicopathologic Factors Forecasting Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Gastric Cancers: A Single Facility Study in Vietnam

Abstract

Introduction: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) plays a critical role in predicting the prognosis of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, accurately diagnosing LNM in EGC patients remains a challenge, as reliable methods are currently lacking.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the clinicopathologic characteristics associated with LNM in EGC and identify the risk factors that can predict LNM in patients treated at a central hospital in Vietnam.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken on EGC patients diagnosed based on histology between July 2018 and December 2019 at a central hospital in Vietnam. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to examine clinicopathologic characteristics and identify independent risk factors for LNM.

Results: The univariate analysis did not show any significant associations between age, sex, tumor location, gross appearance, tumor differentiation status, Lauren classification, World Health Organization (WHO) classification, and LNM. However, larger tumor size, deeper tumor invasion, and moderate grade tumor budding were found to be significantly correlated with a higher incidence of LNM. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that low and moderate grade tumor budding independently served as risk factors for LNM.

Conclusions: Tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, and tumor budding are closely linked to LNM in EGC. Specifically, low and moderate grade tumor budding are independent risk factors for LNM and are crucial in the management of EGC. This study provides valuable insights for predicting LNM in EGC patients and enhancing the clinical management of this disease.