Methods
LYMPH NODE METASTASES
The full protocol for the STOMACH trial, the peri-operative outcomes, quality of resection, and one-year survival were published previously. The medical ethical board of all participating hospitals approved the trial. Written informed consent was obtained from all participating patients at the beginning of the trial. The study protocol prescribed that the resection was performed en bloc and the surgeon marked all lymph node stations attached to the specimen. The pathologist was blinded for the type of surgery. Lymph node metastases were confirmed by histopathological results from the specimen [