• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.22
• /
• pp.9875-9877
• /
• 2014

Objective: To access the safety of chemotherapy for elderly cancer patients complicated with hypertension. Methods: Elderly cancer patients who were complicated with hypertension and treated by chemotherapy were recruited. All patients were treated by chemotherapy after an intervention on hypertension by psychotherapy, exercise guidance, salt regulation and nutrition support, therapy on hypertension, as well as prevention on hypertension associated complications. Results: In 68 eligible patients, two suspended chemotherapy because of adverse reactions and 4 because of disease progression. The remaining 62 patients completed chemotherapy smoothly based on good hypertension control. Conclusion: With effective control of blood pressure, chemotherapy for elderly cancer patients complicated with hypertension is generally safe.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.9
• /
• pp.3937-3940
• /
• 2015

Background: Pancreatic cancer risk is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes, while being reduced by metformin treatment. However, it is unclear whether metformin could be associated with clinical outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer and concurrent type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A pooled analysis of 4 publications including 1,429 patients was performed to investigate the association of metformin and overall survival(OS) in patients with pancreatic cancer and concurrent type 2 diabetes. Results: A borderline significant relative survival benefit was found in metformin treated patients compared with non-metformin treated patients (hazard ratio 0.80; 95% CI: 0.62-1.03). Conclusions: These results suggest that further investigation is warranted of whether metformin may benefit the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer and concurrent type 2 diabetes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.255-258
• /
• 2006

Nasions are flat and located more caudally in Asian than in Caucasian. Implant insertions in rhinoplasties are apt to move nasions more cephallic, which can cause unsatisfactory results in Asian. The purpose of this study is introducing a simple technique in rhinoplasty avoiding unnatural nasion in augmentation rhinoplasty in Asian patients. Multiple radiating incisions were made at nasion level on inner side of silicone implant to fit it into the curvature around the nasion. Between October 2001 and October 2003, 27 patients underwent augmentation rhinoplasties using this technique and results were evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative photographs of patients were used to measure the levels of nasion from medial canthus. The mean nasion level from medial canthus of preopertive patients were $3.46{\pm}0.87mm$ and postoprative patient was $4.98{\pm}0.96mm$. The mean difference between preoperative nasion level and postoperative nasion level was 1.52 mm. There was no complication such as extrusion, displacement or infection. This technique of radiating incisions on inner side of the silicon implant can minimize cephalic migration of the nasion level in augmentation rhinoplasty in Asian.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.2027-2029
• /
• 2015

Background: Laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy in treating patients with gastric cancers developed with a background of highly invasive traditional surgery and is being increasingly performed in the Asian Pacific area. This study systemically investigated the technique and clinical results for comparison with traditional radical subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancers. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness and side effects of laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy in treating patients with gastric cancers were identified using a predefined search strategy. Summary rates of effectiveness and side effects of laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy were calculated. Results: Thirteen clinical studies which including 1,412 patients with gastric cancer treated by laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy were considered eligible for inclusion. Systemic analysis showed that, for all patients, the pooled resection rate was 100%. Major adverse effects were anastomotic stenosis, abdominal abscess, abdominal bleeding, postoperative ileus. Treatment related death occurred in 0. 71% (10/1412). Conclusion: This systemic analysis suggests that laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy in treating patients with gastric cancers is associated with good curative rate and acceptable complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.367-374
• /
• 2018

Background This analysis presents patient-reported outcomes of breast augmentation procedures performed in Singapore using an inframammary fold incision and the "5 Ps" best practice principles for breast augmentation. These data are the first of their kind in Southeast Asian patients. Methods Through a retrospective chart review, patients who underwent primary breast augmentation with anatomical form-stable silicone gel breast implants using an inframammary fold incision were followed for ${\geq}6$ months postoperatively. The BREAST-Q Augmentation Module (scores standardized to 0 [worst] - 100 [best]) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS; 1 [normal skin] to 10 [worst scar imaginable]) were administered. Responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. Patient-reported events were collected. Results Twenty-two Southeast Asian patients (mean age, 35.1 years) completed ${\geq}1$ postoperative BREAST-Q and POSAS assessment and were assessed 11 months to 5.5 years postoperatively. The mean postoperative BREAST-Q satisfaction with breasts and psychosocial well-being scores were 69.2 and 84.0, respectively. The mean POSAS score for their overall opinion of the scar was 4.2; the mean scores for all scar characteristics ranged from 1.2 to 4.2. Over 90% of patients (20/22) said that they would recommend the procedure. Patient complaints following surgery included anisomastia (possibly pre-existing; n=2), sensory loss at the nipple (n=2) or around the nipple (n=3), scarring (n=4), and slight capsular contracture (n=1). No patients required reoperation. Conclusions Southeast Asian patients reported high long-term satisfaction scores on the BREAST-Q scale and with their scar characteristics following breast augmentation using an inframammary fold incision, and nearly all said they would recommend this procedure. No reoperations were necessary in patients assessed for up to 5.5 years postoperatively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8075-8077
• /
• 2016

Sarcopenia, characterized by a decline of skeletal muscle plus low muscle strength and/or physical performance, has emerged to be an important prognostic factor for advanced cancer patients. It is associated with poor performance status, toxicity from chemotherapy, and shorter time of tumor control. There is limited data about sarcopenia in cancer patients and associated factors. Moreover, the knowledge about the changes of muscle mass during chemotherapy and its impact to response and toxicity to chemotherapy is still lacking. This review aimed to provide understanding about sarcopenia and to emphasize its importance to cancer treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.366-373
• /
• 2014

Background The advent of skin-sparing mastectomy has allowed for the reconstruction of the breast and nipple with improved cosmesis. However, the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) in Asian patients is more pigmented and scars easily. Therefore, commonly described incisions tend to result in poor aesthetic outcomes in Asian patients with breast cancer. Methods We describe an algorithmic approach to skin-sparing mastectomy incisions in Asian patients on the basis of the location of the biopsy scar and the tumor site and size. Four incision types are described: peri-areolar, a peri-areolar incision with a second distant skin paddle, "racquet handle," and peri-areolar with adjacent skin excision. Results 281 immediate breast reconstructions were performed between May 2001 and February 2012 after skin-sparing mastectomy. The mastectomy incisions used included the peri-areolar design (n=124, 44%), peri-areolar design with a second distant skin paddle (n=39, 14%), "racquet handle" (n=21, 7.5%), and peri-areolar design with adjacent skin excision (n=42, 14%). The traditional elliptical incision and other variants where the NAC outline was not preserved were performed in the remaining 55 patients. The average follow-up was 44.7 months during which there was 1 case of total flap loss and 7 cases of partial flap necrosis; all remaining flaps survived. 24% of the patients (68/281) underwent subsequent nipple reconstruction. Conclusions Our algorithm avoids breast incisions that are randomly placed or excessively long and prevents the unnecessary sacrifice of normal breast skin. This allows skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction to be performed with a consistently achievable aesthetic result in Asian women without neglecting oncological safety.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.11
• /
• pp.6585-6590
• /
• 2013

Background: Although FOLFOX (infusional fluorouracil/leucovorin plus oxaliplatin) is established as a standard chemotherapeutic regimen, the long term efficacy of adjuvant XELOX (oral capecitabine plus intravenous oxaliplatin) in Asian colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains anecdotal. Moreover, uncertainties persist as to whether pharmacogenetic differences in Asian populations preclude equally tolerable and effective administration of these drugs. Method: One hundred consecutive patients with resected colorectal cancer received adjuvant XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 $mg/m^2$ on day 1 plus capecitabine 900 $mg/m^2$ twice daily on day 1 to 14 every 3 weeks for 8 cycles) at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Endpoints monitored during follow-up were disease-free survival (DFS) and disease recurrence, overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs). Results: The median patient age was 56 years, 56% were diagnosed with rectal cancer and 44% with colonic cancer. After a median follow-up of 4.3 years (95% confidence interval, 3.2-4.7), 24 recurrences were confirmed including 13 patients who died due to progressive disease. Four-year DFS was 81% in colon cancer patients and 67% in rectal cancer patients (p=0.06 by log-rank test). For the cohort as a whole, OS was 90% at 3 years and 84% at 5 years. Treatment-related AEs led to early withdrawal in four patients. The commonest non-hematological AEs were neuropathy (91%), hand-foot syndrome (49%) and diarrhea (46%), while the commonest grade 3/4 AEs were neutropenia (11%) and diarrhea (10%). Conclusion: These results confirm the favourable long term survival benefit with good tolerability in using adjuvant XELOX in treating East Asian colorectal cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.9
• /
• pp.4045-4049
• /
• 2015

Objective: To investigate the effect of coenzyme complex on decreasing cardiotoxicity in elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer who were treated by chemotherapy. Methods: From September 2011 to February 2015, we recruited 54 elderly (with more than 70 years of age) patients with gastrointestinal cancer, with advanced disease. Then treated with chemotherapy combined with or without coenzyme complex. After two cycles of treatment, the effect of coenzyme complex on decreasing cardiotoxicity were evaluated. Results: Chemotherapy was combined with coenzyme complex in 32 patients (22man, 10 woman; median age: 74 years, range: 70-87 years) without coenzyme complex in 22 patients (15man, 7 woman; median age: 73 years, range: 70-80 years) with gastrointestinal cancer. Cardiac event was significantly lower in patients treated with chemotherapy combined with coenzyme complex (p<0.01). Conclusions: Coenzyme Complex decreased cardiotoxicity when combined with chemotherapy in treating elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.9
• /
• pp.4451-4456
• /
• 2016

Background: In this study, we examined epidemiological aspects of dynamic changes in incidences of laryngeal cancer in male and female populations in Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: Primary data were for registered patients with malignant laryngeal tumors in the whole country during the period of 1999-2014. Evaluation of changes in laryngeal cancer incidence in the population of Kazakhstan was performed using component analysis. Results: It was determined that the number of patients with laryngeal cancer in the whole country is decreasing although with conflicting impacts of different factors. Despite population growth (all - ${\Delta}_P=+66.1%$, men - ${\Delta}_P=+70.9%$ and women - ${\Delta}_P=+46.4%$), and aging (all - ${\Delta}_A=+45.1%$, men - ${\Delta}_A=+54.3$ and women - ${\Delta}_A=+22.2$), the reduction in risk of developing the disease (all - ${\Delta}_R=-165.6%$, men - ${\Delta}_R=-170.9%$ and women - ${\Delta}_R=-141.0%$) was overwhelming. Conclusions: This investigation was the first epidemiological study of dynamics of laryngeal cancer by component analysis in population of Kazakhstan. Implementation of the results of the study is recommended in management of anti-cancer activities for laryngeal cancer.