Recurrence occurs in various forms and in different organs after a curative resection of gastric cancer. The most common location for hematogenous recurrence is the liver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological risk factors associated with hepatic recurrence after surgical treatment of gastric cancer.

We reviewed the medical records of 838 patients who had taken radical surgery for primary gastric cancers at Chonbuk National University Hospital between January 1992 and December 1999. According to the medical records, we retrospectively investigated the association between the clinicopathologic variables and hepatic recurrence.

Recurrence of gastric cancer was documented in 201 out of the 838 patients (23.98%). Hepatic recurrences were found in 59 out of 201 patients (29.35%). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the following as independent risk factors of hepatic recurrence: Lauren's Intestinal type (OR, 6.66; 95% CI, 1.53 to 28.9; p=0.011) and proximal resection of margin below 6 cm (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.03 to 13.67; P=0.045).

Various studies on clinocopathologic risk factors of liver recurrence with molecular biologic research should make possible the prediction of recurrence and help high-risk patients to find appropriate management.