Br. J. Surg. 1990, Vol. 77, January,

5366

F. Bozzetti, E. Regalia, G. Bonfanti, R. Doci, D. Ballarini and L. Gennari lstituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Turnori, Via Venezian, 1, Milano 20133, Italy Correspondence to: Dr F. Bozzetti

Early and late results of extended surgery for cancer of the stomach The experience of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan of 143patients who underwent extended surgery for cancer of the stomach from 1965 to 1980 is reviewed. They represent I6.3percent of the patients who underwent curative surgery. The operative mortality rate was 15.4per cent but this significantly decreased in recent years to 8per cent and the morbidity rate to I75per cent. The overall 5-year survival rate was 19per cent. Survival was analysed according to tumour penetration (pT) and nodal status (N). It was found that patients without tumour penetration of adjacent structures and nodal involvement @T3N-) had a better 5-year survival rate (21per cent) than patients with nodal involvement (pT3N + ) (2per cent). Patients with tumour penetration of adjacent structures and without nodal invohement (pT4N-) had a better 5-year survival rate (29per cent) than patients with nodal involvement (pT4N +) (5per cent). These differences were significant on log rank test (P