Can we predict lymph node metastasis by using preoperative markers in gastric cancer patients?

Abstract

Introduction. Lymph node involvement is a negative prognostic factor for patients undergoing curative gastrectomy and indication for preoperative chemotherapy, thus a sufficient assessment strategy is required. We aimed to establish the value of preoperatively collected data in prediction of lymph node metastasis.
Material and methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 150 gastric cancer patients hospitalized in the Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Łódź in 2011–2017. We gathered information comprising clinicopathological features, inflammatory markers: neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and Tumor Index (TI).
Results. Independent factors associated with lymph node involvement were: NLR (OR = 1.35; p = 0.01), Tumor Index (OR = 1.07; p < 0.001). ROC curve plots assessed the diagnostic value of TI and NLR.
Conclusions. Tumor Index and NLR are factors indicating lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients. NLR is a potentially useful tool for neoadjuvant chemotherapy qualification.