The British journal of surgery
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Mast cells play important roles in the progression of various malignancies, but their prognostic value in gastric cancer is unknown. Tryptase expression, as an indicator of mast cell activity, was therefore evaluated to see whether this could be incorporated usefully into a prognostic nomogram after surgery in patients with gastric cancer. ⋯ Tryptase expression is an independent prognostic factor for overall and recurrence-free survival in patients with gastric cancer after surgical resection.
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It is well established that lymph node (LN) yield in colonic cancer resection has prognostic significance, although optimal numbers are not clear. Here, LN thresholds associated with both LN positivity and survival were evaluated in a single population-based data set. ⋯ There is incongruity in the optimal LN evaluation for colonic cancer. Although the historically stated threshold of 12 LNs may ensure accurate staging in colonic cancer, thresholds for optimal survival are associated with far greater yields.