Tumor lymphocytic infiltration as a good prognostic factor for survival in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer: Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between survival and lymphocytic infiltration in gastric cancer has been determined to be a beneficial prognostic factor. This local study aims to assess the probability of survival in patients with gastric cancer stages IB to IIIC according to the percentage of lymphocytic infiltration.

Methodology: This longitudinal study was conducted at the Solón Espinosa Ayala Solca-Núcleo Cancer Hospital in Quito. The study period was from January 2013 to January 2016; the follow-up time ended in December 2018. The sample calculation was nonprobabilistic and included cases of patients older than 18 diagnosed with gastric cancer with clinical stages IB at IIIC, which had a histo-pathological sample of gastrectomies. The variable "percentage of infiltration" was used to analyze the sample, and it was divided into three groups: G1: mild lymphocytic infiltration, G2: moderate, and G3: intense. Survival estimates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared groups with the log-rank test.

Results: A total of 173 patients with gastric cancer with clinical stages IB to IIIC were followed up for 72 months; 60% were men, and 40% were women. According to the percentage of lymphocytic infil-tration, 52% reported a rate of mild infiltration, 21% moderate, and 27% intense. At 72 months of follow-up, survival was 31% in G1, 48% in G2, and 77% in G3 (P= 0.001).

Conclusion: The degree of intense lymphocytic infiltration in gastric cancer patients was associated with better survival at the 72-month follow-up.