Prognostic factors in resectable gastric cancer: results of EORTC study no. 40813 on FAM adjuvant chemotherapy.

I.F. 2.820 Abstract: Background: The high incidence of locoregional recurrences and distant metastases after curative surgery for gastric cancer calls for improved locoregional control and systemic adjuvant treatment. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial on adjuvant FAM2 chemotherapy, quality of surgery was evaluated by comparing surgical and pathology data. Univariate and multivariate analysis was made to evaluate the effect of prognostic factors on survival and time of recurrence in relation to patients, tumor, and therapy. Results: Of 314 patients randomized from 28 European institutions, 159 comprised the central and 155 the FAM2 group. After a median follow-up of 80 months, no statistically significant difference was found between survivals. However, for recurrence time, treated patients had a significant advantage over controls (p = 0.02). At univariate analysis, statistically significant differences in survival and time to progression emerged for T, N, disease stage, and ''adequacy'' of surgery. The multivariate analysis retained preoperative Hb level, T, N, and ''adequacy'' of surgery for time of survival; and T, N, ''adequacy'' of surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for recurrence time. Conclusions: Disease stage is the most important prognostic factor. ''Adequate'' surgery has an important effect. Adjuvant FAM2 delayed time of recurrence, but did not influence overall survival.