Abstract: Objective:The characteristics of lymph node metastasis were investigated to guide the range of lymph node dissection during the radical operation of distal gastric cancer. Methods:The clinical data of773 patients with distal gastric cancer who under-went radical distal subtotal gastrectomy at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between February 2010and September 2014were reviewed and analyzed to infer the potential clinical mechanisms of lymph node metastasis. Results:Among the included patients, 423 (54.72%) had lymph node metastasis. The proportion of metastasis in the patients from the highest to the lowest rate was observed in group NO. 6, 3, 4sb, and 5 lymph nodes. The metastasis rates of the N 1 lymph nodes from the highest to the low -est were observed in group NO. 3, 6, 5, and 4d lymph nodes, whereas those of the N 2 lymph nodes occurred in group NO. 8a, 7, and 1 lymph nodes. Group NO. 8a lymph node with skipped metastasis was observed in 50.68% of the patients.Conclusion:During radical distal gastric cancer surgery, attention should be given to the possibility of metastasis in group NO. 8a lymph node. Appropriate exten-sion of the lymph node dissection should be conducted when necessary.