Prognostic value of different lymph node staging methods for node-positive cardia gastric cancer: a register-based retrospective cohort study.

objectiveTo investigate the prognostic efficacy of lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in node-positive cardia gastric adenocarcinoma (CGA).

designA registry-based retrospective cohort study.

settingPatients diagnosed with node-positive CGA in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2010 to 2015.

participantsA total of 1038 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned (7:3) to the training set (n=723) or validating set (n=315). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Cancer-specific survival (CSS).

resultsThe baseline characteristics of the training and validation sets were similar. Based on the optimal cut-off values, LNR was classified into low (<0.09), medium (0.09~0.33) and high (>0.33) groups; LODDS was also classified into low (<-2.09), medium (-2.09~-0.65) and high (>-0.65) groups. CSS was significantly different across LNR and LODDS subgroups. The Harrell concordance index of the N stage was lower than that of the LNR or LODDS. The Akaike information criterion of the N stage was higher than that of the LNR or LODDS. Independent predictors included race, T stage, M stage and LNR (or LODDS), and they were incorporated into nomograms for 1-year, 2-year and 5-year CSS prediction. Calibration plots showed satisfactory results for internal and external validity of the nomogram.

conclusionsLNR and LODDS staging methods have better prognostic efficacy than the traditional N staging method in CGA with node metastasis. Moreover, the two values are promising substitutes for N staging in nomogram development when other independent prognostic factors are incorporated.