To study the risk factors of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer and to analyze its influence on the prognosis.

From March 2014 to March 2016, 125 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled into this study. The retrospective analysis was performed. All the subjects were diagnosed by pathology and underwent radical surgery. 125 patients were divided into non-metastatic group (91 cases) and metastatic group (34 cases). The clinical data of patients were analyzed by using SPSS 20.0 software. Count data were examined by using χ² test, Logistic regression were performed to analyze the risk factors of lymph node metastasis. A P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.

Univariate analysis showed that the sex, age and location of tumor were not the risk factors of lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). The diameter, differentiation, depth of invasion, vascular invasion and nerve invasion were the risk factors of lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that tumor diameter, depth of tumor invasion, vascular invasion and nerve invasion were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The results of follow-up showed that the 2-year survival rate of the patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than that of the patients without metastasis, with significant difference (P<0.05).

In patients with gastric cancer, tumor size, vascular invasion, nerve invasion and depth of tumor invasion are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis. The survival time and survival rate of patients with lymph node metastasis are significantly decreased, which has a certain influence and threat to the prognosis.