AIM: To find risk factors of lymph node metastasis(LNM) in early gastric cancer(EGC) and to find proper endoscopic therapy indication in EGC.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the 2270 patients who underwent curative operation for EGC from January 2001 to December 2008. EGC was defined as malignant lesions that do not invade beyond the submucosal layer of the stomach wall irrespective of presence of lymph node metastasis.RESULTS: Among 2270 enrolled patients, LNM was observed in 217(9%) patients. LNM in intramucosal(M) cancer and submucosal(SM) cancer was detectedin 3 8( 2. 8 %, 3 8 / 1 3 4 0) patients and 1 7 9(19%, 179/930) patients, respectively. In univariate analysis, the risk factors for LNM in EGC were size of tumor, Lauren classification, ulcer, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and depth of invasion. However, in multivariate analysis, size of tumor, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and depth of invasion were risk factors for LNM in EGC. Size of tumor, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and depth of invasion were risk factors for LNM in cases of intramucosal cancer and submucosal cancer. In particular, there was no lymph node metastasis in cases of well differentiated early gastric cancer below 1 cm in size without ulcer regardless of lymphovascular invasion.CONCLUSION: Tumor size, perilymphatic-vascular invasion, and depth of invasion were risk factors for LNM in EGC. There was no LNM in EGC below 1 cmregardless risk factors. AIM: To find risk factors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early gastric cancer (EGC) and to find proper endoscopic therapy indication in EGC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the 2270 patients who underwent curative operation for EGC from January 2001 to December 2008 EGC was defined as malignant lesions that do not invade beyond the submucosal layer of the stomach wall irrespective of presence of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Among 2270 enrolled patients, LNM was observed in 217 (9%) patients. LNM in intramucosal (M In cancer and submucosal (SM) cancer was detected in 38 (2. 8%, 38/1430) patients and 1 7 9 (19%, 179/930) patients, respectively. In univariate analysis, the risk factors For, in multivariate analysis, size of tumor, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and depth of invasion were risk factors for LNM in EGC. Size of tumor, lymphatic in vasion, vascular invasion, and depth of invasion were risk factors for LNM in cases of intramucosal cancer and submucosal cancer. In particular, there was no lymph node metastasis in cases of well differentiated early gastric cancer below 1 cm in size without ulcer regardless of lymphovascular invasion.CONCLUSION: Tumor size, perilymphatic-vascular invasion, and depth of invasion were risk factors for LNM in EGC. There was no LNM in EGC below 1 cmregardless risk factors.