Adjuvant Chemotherapy in PT2N0M0 Gastric Cancer: Findings From a Retrospective Study

There is no global consensus on adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for pT2N0M0 gastric cancer. We conducted a retrospective study to reveal the role of ACT in such patients. Patients with pT2N0M0 gastric cancer who underwent radical resection with D2 lymphadenectomy for primary gastric cancer between January 2012 and May 2016 were included. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used to evaluate overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and predictors of prognosis. Stratified analysis based on high-risk factors was conducted. Of enrolled 307 patients, 111 patients underwent surgery alone and 196 patients received ACT. Surgery alone (HR = 2.913, 95% CI: 1.494-5.682, = 0.002) and total gastrectomy (HR = 2.445, 95% CI: 1.279-4.675, = 0.007) were independently associated with decreased OS. With the median follow-up of 73.1 months, the 5-year OS rate was 87.9% and 5-year DSS rate was 91.8%. Patients receiving ACT showed a better 5-year OS rate (92.9 . 79.3%, < 0.001) and DSS rate (96.8 vs. 83.0%, < 0.001) than patients underwent surgery alone. Patients receiving monotherapy ( = 130) had a relatively poor prognosis compared to patients receiving dual-drug ( = 66) without a significant difference (92.3 . 93.9%, = 0.637). In patients without high-risk factors based on the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Guidelines, ACT also provided survival benefit (96.0 vs 82.9%, = 0.038). ACT was accompanied with higher 5-year OS and DSS rates of patients with pT2N0M0 gastric cancer. Patients with pT2N0M0 gastric cancer, regardless of high-risk factors based on the CSCO guidelines, might be considered candidates for ACT. In regard to the therapy regimen, monotherapy might be the optimal choice, considering the adverse events.