• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.254-264
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was carried out to confirm clinical values and limitations of postoperative radiotherapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma, to evaluate various prognostic factors which may affect to the treatment results and to use these results as fundamental data for making a new treatment strategy. Methods and Materials:. A retrospective analysis was peformed on 64 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, seen between 1988 and 1999 at Pusan National University Hospital. Most of patients were treated by laryngopharyngectomy and neck dissection followed by conventional fractionated postoperative radiotherapy on surgical bed and cervical nodal areas. Results: The five-year overall survival rate and cause-specific survival rate were 42.2 percent and 51.6 percent, respectively. Univariate analysis of various clinical and pathologic factors confirmed the overall stage, TN-stage, secondary primary cancers, surgical positive margin, nodal extracapsular extension, total radiation doses as significant prognostic factors of hypopharyngeal carcinomas. But in multivariate analysis, TN-stage, surgical positive margin and extracapsular extesion were only statistically significant. Conclusion: In resectable cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, combined surgery and postoperative radio-therapy obtained good treatement results, even though sacrificing the function of larynx and pharynx. But in advanced and unresectable cases, with respect to survivals and qualify of life issues, we were able to confirm some limitations of combined therapy. So we recommend that comparative studies of recent various chemo-radiotherapy methods and advanced radiotherapy techniques with these data should be needed.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.325-332
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• 2002

Purpose: Human Na+/I- symporter (hNIS) is known to be expressed in many tissues other than thyroid gland. The breast cancer cells are one of them and the possibility of radioiodine therapy in treatment of the breast cancer may be suggested. We investigated the expression rate of hNIS and the relationship between the expression of hNIS and the finding of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammographv in the breast cancer Materials and Methods: Surgically proved 56 patients with breast cancer were the subjects of this study The expression of hNIS were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the results were compared to the findings of 99m7c-MIBI scintimammography. Results: Overall expression rate of hNIS was 41.1% in 56 patients. According to the pathologic diagnosis, it was 42.9% in 49 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma and 28.6% in the 7 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ. The expression rate of hNIS in the 41 cases with a focal increased uptake at he breast lesion on 99m7c-MIBI sointimammogram was 31.7%. That in the 15 cases without any abnormal uptake on the scan was significantly higher(65.7%, p<0.05). Conclusion: The expression rate of hNIS in the patients with breast cancer was not so high. The rate was higher in the patients with no increased uptake at the breast lesion on 99m7c-MIBI scintimammography.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.286-297
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• 2005

Background : Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common cause of cancer-related death in North America and Korea, with an overall 5-year survival rate of between 4 and 14%. The TNM staging system is the best prognostic index for operable NSCLC . However, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9), and C-erbB-2 have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of NSCLC and might provide prognostic information. Methods : Immunohistochemical staining of 81 specimens from a resected primary non-small cell lung cancer was evaluated in order to determine the role of the biological markers on NSCLC . Immunohistochemical staining for EGFR, MMP-9, and C-erbB-2 was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections to observe the expression pattern according to the pathologic type and surgical staging. The correlations between the expression of each biological marker and the survival time was determined. Results : When positive immunohistochemical staining was defined as the extent area>20%(more than Grade 2), the positive rates for EGFR, MMP-9, and C-erbB-2 staining were 71.6%, 44.3%, and 24.1% of the 81 patients, respectively. The positive rates of EGFR and MMP-9 stain for NSCLC according to the surgical stages I, II, and IIIa were 75.0% and 41.7%, 66.7% and 47.6%, and 76.9% and 46.2%, respectively. The median survival time of the EGFR(-) group, 71.8 months, was significantly longer than that of the EGFR(+) group, 33.5 months.(p=0.018, Kaplan-Meier Method, log-rank test).. The MMP-9(+) group had a shorter median survival time than the MMP-9(-) group, 35.0 and 65.3 months, respectively (p=0.2). The co-expression of EGFR and MMP-9 was associated with a worse prognosis with a median survival time of 26.9 months, when compared with the 77 months for both negative-expression groups (p=0.0023). There were no significant differences between the C-erbB-2(+) and C-erbB-2 (-) groups. Conclusion : In NSCLC, the expression of EGFR might be a prognostic factor, and the co-expression of EGFR and MMP-9 was found to be associated with a poor prognosis. However, C-erbB-2 expression had no prognostic significance.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

Purpose : Short stature is an important complication that impairs the quality of life in survivors of childhood brain tumors. We studied their final adult height (FAH) to evaluate risk factors for short stature. Methods : We reviewed the medical data of 95 survivors of childhood brain tumors (64 males and 31 females) who had been followed up from 1982 to 2006, reached FAH, and had a more than five year-disease-free survival. Results : Final adult height standard deviation score (FAHTSDS: $mean{\pm}SD$) of the patients was lower than those of general population ($-1.15{\pm}1.72$), HTSDS at diagnosis ($-0.13{\pm}1.57$), and target HTSDS ($-0.49{\pm}0.69$). FAHTSDS of craniopharyngioma patients did not decrease ($0.57{\pm}1.17$), but those of germ cell tumor and medulloblastoma patients were significantly reduced ($-1.20{\pm}1.45$, $-2.70{\pm}1.46$; P<0.05). The patients treated with craniospinal radiation or chemotherapy had lower FAHTSDS ($-1.93{\pm}1.58$, $-2.27{\pm}1.44$; P<0.01). In the spinal irradiation group, the younger the age at diagnosis was, the more the loss of FAH (r=0.442, P<0.01). Growth hormone replacement (GHR) didn't improve FAHTSDS, but starting GHR under 12 years was an independent factor for improving FAH once treatment methods were taken into account (P=0.01). Conclusion : The younger age at diagnosis, spinal radiation and chemotherapy were all important risk factors of height loss, and height gain was expected in patients who received GHR under the age of 12 years. Therefore, regular check-ups of growth and early intervention with growth hormones are needed for high risk groups to improve FAH.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.411-417
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• 2003

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Recently, neoadjuvant therapy been used in an attempt to increase the long term survival but has not been shown as a clear advantage. We reviewed the recurrence and survival after complete resection of esophageal cancer without neoadjuvant therapy. Material and Method: From December 1994 to December 2001, 182 consecutive patients who underwent intrathoracic esophagectomy, transthoracic esophagogastrostomy and two-field lymph node dissection for esophageal canter without neoadjuvant therapy were studied retrospectively. Result: There were 167 men and 15 women. The median age was 65 years (range, 40 to 90 years). The tumor was located in the upper third part of the esophagus in 7 patients (3.8%), middle third in 86 (47.3%), and lower third in 89 (48.9%). The postsurgical stage were as follows: stage 0 in 2 patients (1.1%), stage I in 32 (17.6%), stageIIA in 47 (25.8%), stage IIB in 25 (13.7%), stage III in 54 (29.7%), stage IVA in 10 (5.5%), and stage IVB in 12 (6.6%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.8% (7 patients) and complications occurred in 65 patients (35%), Follow-up was complete in 95.6%. The recurrence occurred in 56 patients (30.8%) and the overall 5-year disease free rate was 55%. The overall 5-year survival rate was 57%; it was 80% for patients in stage I, 65% in stage IIA, 58% in stage IIB, 48% in stage III, and 40% in stage IVB. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with postoperative adjuvant therapy was 59% compared to 34% in patients without postoperative adjuvant therapy (p<0.05). Conclusion: The most effective therapy for esophageal cancer may be complete resection. More aggressive surgical therapy and adjuvant therapy may improve the long-term survival, even for advanced stage esophageal cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.320-328
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• 2004

Background : Pulmonary vascular changes which occur early in the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prevalent manifestation and later cause pulmonary hypertension, which is a bad prognostic factor in COPD. Beraprost sodium (BPS), an orally active prostacyclin analogue, has been shown to improve survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. This study investigated the effect of BPS in the patients with COPD. Methods : This is a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled, two center clinical trial. Twenty one consecutive patients with COPD were enrolled from June 2003 to June 2004 (patients treated with BPS for 3 months, BPS group, n=11; those with placebo, placebo group, n=10). The baseline demographic, pulmonary function and hemodynamic data were not significantly different between two groups. Results : On echocardiographic examination, trans tricuspid valve pressure gradient has decreased significantly after 3 months with beraprost in the BPS group [17.7(${\pm}11.4$) to 8.2(${\pm}8.9$) mm Hg, p-value<0.05], while there was no significant change in the control group. Six-minute walking distance has decreased in the control group and increased in the BPS group, but there was no statistical significance. Conclusion : In patients with COPD oral administration of BPS reduced the pulmonary arterial pressure. The clinical significance of this finding, that is improving symptoms and natural course of the disease, needs further study.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.700-704
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• 2010

Background: For staging primary lung cancer, integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is popular. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PET/CT scanning in lymph nodal staging of lung cancer. Material and Method: We studied 48 patients who had received CT, PET/CT and pulmonary resections due to primary non-small cell lung cancer in our hospital between January 2006 and August 2009. Mediastinal lymph nodes were classified as superior mediastinal nodes, aortic nodes, inferior mediastinal nodes, or N1 nodes. We compared the power of CT and PET/CT for diagnosing pulmonary lymph nodes for each of the four types of nodes. Result: PET/CT was more sensitive than CT for all groups except inferior mediastinal nodes. However, the differences were not significant (McNemar's test: superior mediastinal nodes, p=0.109; aortic nodes, p=1.000; inferior mediastinal nodes, p=0.625, N1 nodes, p=0.424). Conclusion: The accuracy of PET/CT is similar to that of CT alone for staging lymph nodes. The two imaging modalities might be used as complementary, cooperative tools. We expect that integrated PET/CT will be found to be significantly mmore sensitive after more trials are done and more data is accumulated.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the significance of serum SCC for the monitoring of treatment response and the early detection of distant metastasis during radiotherapy (RT). Materials and Methods : In 13 patients with histologically proven primary squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, serum SCC values were checked in pre-RT point, weekly during RT, and in post-RT point. Results : In 4 of 13 cases, metastasis appeared at the end of external RT, so that intracavitary radiation couldn't be peformed.01 these 4 cases,3 with elevated pre-RT SCC level, who resulted in lung metastasis on chest PA at the end of external RT showed decreased post-RT SCC value despite of metastasis. Of all 10 cases with elevated pre-RT SCC value (including 3 with metastasis at the end of external RT), SCC value was higher than pre-RT value in 7 at 9 Gy and the difference was statistically significant. At 18 Gy, SCC was higher in 4 and lower in 6 than pre-RT value. After 18 Gy, SCC value decreased continuously to the end of RT in all 10 cases. Conclusion : During RT, SCC value increased initially at 9 Gy. To 18 Gy, SCC value decreased to the nearly same with pre-RT value. After 18 Gy, to the end of RT, SCC value decreased continuously and normalized in completely responded cases. In cases with appearance of lung metastasis, SCC value also decreased with the disappearance of main mass of uterine cervix despite metastasis.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.391-399
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• 2007

Three-dimensional approaches for the diagnosis and analysis of the dentofacial area are becoming more popular in accordance with the development of cone-beam CT (CBCT). The purposes of this study were to evaluate the reliability of cephalometric measurements of lateral cephalograms generated from a CBCT image by making comparisons with the traditional digital lateral cephalogram, and to evaluate the possibility of the clinical application of CBCT generated cephalogram images. Methods: Twenty patients whose external auditory meatus could be identified in the CBCT image were selected, and both CBCT and digital cephalograms were taken. Differences between the measurements of both cephalograms were tested by paired t-test. Results: Among the 22 measurements used, only U1-FH, Mx6 to PTV, and maxillomandibular difference showed statistically significant differences between the CBCT generated cephalogram and the digital cephalogram. Conclusions: The results suggest that the CBCT generated cephalogram can be used for some cephalometric measurements not requiring porion, PTV, condylion as a landmark (SNA, SNB, U1 to SN, IMPA, interincisal angle, etc.).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1991

From April,1983 through April,1989, we have treated histologically proven 21 patients with oligodendroglioma using 6 MV linear accelerator at the Division of Radiation Therapy, Kangnam 51. Mary's Hospital Catholic University Medical College. These are 8% of the irradiated 246 primary brain tumors during the same period. To investigate influencing factors on the survival of irradiated U patients with oligodendroglioma, we analyzed the cerebral location of the involvements, initial symptoms, CT findings and survival rates, retrospectively. One case was lost to follow up and excluded from survival data. Of the 28 patients, thirteen were male and 8 female. Ages ranged from 5 to 68 years with a median age of 38 years. Radiation doses varied from 3900 cGy to 0480 cGy and were given for 5 to 8 weeks. All but one were supratentorial. The involvement of the frontal and parietal lobes were 10 (48%) patients in each and temporal lobe in 8 (38.1%). Histological diagnosis was made by stereotactic biopsy in 3 and postoperatively in 18. The type of surgery was divided into partial, subtotal and total resection in 7,9 and 2 cases respectively. In 6 cases, chemotherapy was also tried during or after radiation therapy. Major presenting symptoms were headache, cerebral motor, nausea & vomiting and epilepsy in 18,12, 7 and 5 respectively in decreasing order. In CT analysis, low density (02%), cystic mass (33%), calcifiestion (66%) and positive contrast enhancement (42.8%) were observed as the highest frequency. Mean survival duration after radiation therapy was 38 months (K-M methods). We could not achieve statistically significant factors influencing on the survival rate after radiation therapy for oligodendrogliomas by one or two tail test.