ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of lymph node metastasis for early distal gastric signet ring cell cancer and indications of radical surgery.MethodsFrom Mar. 2013 to Nov. 2018, a total of 91 early gastric cancer patients who accepted radical gestrectomy and regional lymph node dissection, and proved postoperatively for early distal gastric signet ring cell cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled in this study. We collected clinicpathologic characteristics, such as gender, age, maximum diameter of tumor, number of lesions, depth of invasion, macroscopic type, and lymphovascular invasion, to explore the risk factors of lymph node metastasis and further analyze the indication of radical surgery.ResultsAll 91 patients accepted radical gestrectomy and regional lymph node dissection, 10 patients suffered from lymph node metastasis. Univariate analysis showed a positive relationship between maximum diameter of tumor (χ2=5.631, P=0.025), depth of invasion (χ2=4.389, P=0.016), number of lesions (χ2=5.615, P=0.023), and lymphovascular invasion (χ2=22.500, P=0.001) and lymph node metastasis of early distal gastric signet ring cell cancer. The multivariate analysis revealed that maximum diameter of tumor (OR=3.675, P=0.012), depth of invasion (OR=3.886, P=0.015), and lymphovascular invasion (OR=8.711, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of lymph node metastasis.ConclusionsThe risk of lymph node metastasis of early distal gastric signet ring cell cancer was high in those with tumor diameter≥2 cm, submucosal cancer, and lymphovascular invasion. Radical surgery might be necessary in cases of early distal gastric signet ring cell cancer that satisfying one of the following criteria: tumor diameter≥2 cm and lymphovascular invasion.