[RESULTS] Four independent prognostic factors were identified by multivariate analysis of both preoperative and postoperative factors : pathological curability B ( pB ; R0 with stage IV or pD < pN ) or pC [ microscopic or macroscopic residual tumor ( R1/R2 ) ] [ vs. pA ( R0 ) ; HR 1.93 , p = 0.015 ] , pathological stage N1 ( vs. pN0 ; HR 3.86 , p = 0.0012 ) , cT3 ( vs. cT1-2 ; HR 2.80 , p = 0.0073 ) , and serum Alb < 4.0 g/dl ( vs. 4.0 g/dl ; HR 2.03 , p = 0.0069 ) .