BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors for survival of patients with gastric cancer (GC) after surgical resection. Nevertheless, a considerable number of patients have node-negative disease. We performed the present systematic review to evaluate survival and identify prognostic factors in node-negative GC patients undergoing curative intent resection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Relevant studies published between January 2000 and January 2015 were identified by searching the PubMed database and reviewed systematically. Summary relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using random-effects models.

RESULTS: Thirty observational studies involving 12 504 patients were included in the review. Median 5-year overall survival was 84.3% (range, 53–96.3%). Pooled analysis showed that old age (RR, 1.26; 95%CI, 1.13–1.42),

CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection offers good overall survival for patients with node-negative GC. Tumor-related factors seem to have most prognostic significance.

Keywords: Gastrectomy, Lymph Nodes - pathology, Stomach Neoplasms - surgery, Survival Rate