• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.202-206
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• 1996

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a morphologically heterogenous group of neoplasms characterized by ductal adenocarcinoma with extensive squamous differentiation, a spindle-cell pattern of growth, and/or heterologous mesenchymal elements. We experienced a case of metaplastic carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration(FNA) and confirmed by radical mastectomy in a 46 year-old woman. The FNA cytologic findings included atypical squamous cells with kertinization tying singly and in clusters in a necrotic background. In addition, scattered spindle cells with pleomorphic large nuclei and prominent nucleoli were present in a hemorrhagic and necrotic background. The histopathologic findings showed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and highly pleomorphic sarcoma with chondroid component. The immunohistochemical stain revealed focal positive reaction for cytokeratin as well as diffuse reactivity for vimentin in the sarcomatous area.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to test whether sleep disturbance mediates the effect of pain on fatigue, whether fatigue mediates the effect of pain on depression, and whether fatigue mediates the effect of sleep disturbance on depression. Methods: This study was conducted from September 12th to December 20th, 2011. One hundred eighty-eight breast cancer patients were recruited from D city and S city in Korea. The instruments used in this study were the pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and depression scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and mediation pathway with the SPSS 12.0 and AMOS 20.0 programs. Results: There was correlation among pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression. Mediation analyses indicated that pain influences fatigue. sleep disturbance, and depression directly as well as indirectly. Sleep disturbance influences fatigue and depression directly, also fatigue influences depression directly. But sleep disturbance had no direct effect on depression. Conclusion: Significant correlations among the four symptoms supported the existence of the symptom cluster. Effects of pain on fatigue was partially mediated by sleep disturbance, also effects of pain on depression was partially mediated by fatigue. However, the effects of sleep disturbance on depression was fully mediated by fatigue.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6839-6844
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• 2013

This study was conducted to analyze the prevalence of non-performance of mammography, and associated factors, among postmenopausal women. This analytical, exploratory, cross-sectional study, of a domicile population inquiry type, was performed in the municipality of Maringa, Parana, Brazil. A total of 456 women were interviewed, aged 45 to 69 years, who presented with natural menopause and cessation of menstruation for at least twelve months. Statistical associations were found between the non-performance of mammography and schooling of less than seven years, paid employment, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, the non-use of hormone replacement therapy, not having consulted a doctor in the previous year, not having consulted a gynecologist, lacking a family history of breast cancer, not having performed the Papanicolaou test, not having performed clinical breast examination, and not having difficult access to health services. After logistic regression analysis, not performing mammography was associated with reports of a fair or bad health status. The study data revealed factors "responsible" for the non-performance of mammography, and the results should contributing to improvement/enhancement of healthy behaviour of Brazilian women in the post-menopausal phase.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.298-309
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on grip strength, pinch strength, the shoulder joint function, flexibility, and fatigue in mastectomy patients. Method: The subjects were fifty-five women with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of education, stress management, exercise, and peer support group activity. Results: The results revealed that the increase in grip strength, key pinch, the shoulder joint function, and flexibility (Back & Reach test, Standing & Bending reach test) of the operated extremity, and the decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, the results revealed that tip strength and palmar pinch of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. Conclusions: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed much affirmative effect on physical function, and fatigue of breast cancer patients after mastectomy.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.200-209
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this micro-ethnography is to examine whether science and societal changes impact family communication patterns among a convenience sample of 16 Korean women. Methods: The authors observed family communication in the context of a new breast cancer genetic screening and diagnostic testing program to detect BRCA gene mutations in Korean women at highest risk. Results: Analysis of in-depth interviews and field notes taken during participant observation illustrated that communication patterns in families vary according to a woman's position in the family. If a grandmother tests positive for a gene mutation, her daughters make decisions on her behalf; they open and maintain the communication channel among family members. If a housewife is diagnosed with cancer and a genetic mutation, she immediately consults her husband and her sisters. The husband creates an open communication channel between his wife, his parents and his siblings. As a result, a woman's cancer is a concern for the whole family not merely a woman's secret or crisis. Conclusion: Cultural differences are important to consider when designing new genetic service programs in different countries.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.809-819
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on physical function, immune response, fatigue and quality of life in mastectomy patients. Method: The subjects included fifty-five patients with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for10 weeks, which was composed of 1 session of education, 2 sessions of stress management, 2 sessions of exercise, and 1 session of peer support group activity per week. Result: The results revealed anincrease in shoulder extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the affectedupper extremity, and in shoulder extension and abduction of the healthy upper extremity. Also an increase in quality of life and a decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. However, the results revealed that the natural killer cell ratio of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. Conclusion: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed a large affirmative effect on physical function, fatigue and quality of life of breast cancer patients after a mastectomy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.464-470
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• 2022

Objective: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a condition comprising fibrous band-like cords that appear in the axilla of patients after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) during breast cancer surgery and result in pain and reduced mobility. The cords appearing with AWS are hardened veins or lymphatic vessels. Manual therapy and stretching are recommended for pain control and mobility improvement. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of cytoskeletal manual therapy (CMT), which is a new soft tissue mobilization technique. Design: A case report Methods: A 41-year-old woman with AWS after breast cancer surgery and ALND visited a physical therapy clinic because of shoulder pain, decreased function, and decreased mobility. The cords were palpable and pain occurred 2 weeks after surgery. CMT was performed three times per week for a total of 6 weeks. Her pain intensity, range of motion (ROM), and shoulder function were measured. Results: Measurements were performed after 2 weeks and 6 weeks of CMT and evaluated using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Her pain intensity largely decreased after 2 weeks (4-point score reduction) and after 6 weeks (5-point score reduction) of CMT. After CMT, her full ROM was restored and her shoulder function was improved (7-point score reduction). Conclusions: CMT is effective for pain control, mobility improvement, and functional improvement of patients with AWS.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.466-478
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experience of breast cancer self-help group activities in Korea. Methods: The data were collected via individual in-depth interviews with 8 women with breast cancer, who participated in self-help groups during 2012~2013. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, and they were analyzed using a phenomenological method. Results: Six theme clusters were identified. "Breakthrough toward survival" describes how the participants identified self-help groups and got involved in the activities. "Genuine comfort obtained by 'misery loves company' deals with the emotional relief and catharsis. "New life fully recharged" demonstrates the changed belief system and the joy for life and living. "Rebirth in family" deals with how family dynamics has been changed. "Societal change by raising collective consciousness" illustrates many activities to improve their rights and advocate employment issues. "Obstacles to the group harmony" illustrates the major difficulties including interpersonal conflicts the participants encountered during their participation. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that participating in self-help groups was mostly beneficial for women with breast cancer. Therefore, oncology professionals need to encourage them to participate in self-help groups and also need to provide professional support to self-help groups for their harmonious interpersonal relationships.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.84-94
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• 2014

Purpose: To quantify the cardiac dose reduction during breathing adapted radiotherapy using Real-time Position Management (RPM) system in the treatment of left-sided breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients with left-sided breast cancer underwent CT scans during breathing maneuvers including free breathing (FB), deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH), and end inspiration breath-hold (EIBH). The RPM system was used to monitor respiratory motion, and the in-house self respiration monitoring (SRM) system was used for visual feedback. For each scan, treatment plans were generated and dosimetric parameters from DIBH and EIBH plans were compared to those of FB plans. Results: All patients completed CT scans with different breathing maneuvers. When compared with FB plans, DIBH plans demonstrated significant reductions in irradiated heart volume and the heart $V_{25}$, with the relative reduction of 71% and 70%, respectively (p < 0.001). EIBH plans also resulted in significantly smaller irradiated heart volume and lower heart $V_{25}$ than FB plans, with the relative reduction of 39% and 37%, respectively (p = 0.002). Despite of significant expansion of lung volume using inspiration breath-hold, there were no significant differences in left lung $V_{25}$ among the three plans. Conclusion: In comparison with FB, both DIBH and EIBH plans demonstrated a significant reduction of radiation dose to the heart. In the training course, SRM system was useful and effective in terms of positional reproducibility and patient compliance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2361-2366
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• 2013

Diverse studies have shown that miR-155 is overexpressed in different tumor types. However, the precise molecular mechanism of the ectopic expression of miR-155 in breast cancer is still poorly understood. To further explore the role of miR-155 in breast tumorigenesis, we here assessed the influence of miR-155 antisense oligonucleotide (miR-155 ASO) on MDA-MB-157 cell viability and apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, the effects of inhibitory effects of miR-155 on the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo were determined with performance of immunohistochemistry to detect expression of caspase-3, a pivotal apoptosis regulatory factor, in xenografts. Transfection efficiency detected by laser confocal microscope was higher than 80%. The level of miR-155 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the cells transfected with miR-155 ASO, compared with that in cells transfected with a negative control. After being transfected with miR-155 ASO, the viability of MDA-MB-157 cells was reduced greatly (P<0.05) and the number of apoptotic cells was increased significantly. Additionally, miR-155 ASO inhibited the growth of transplanted tumor in vivo and significantly increased the expression of caspase-3. Taken together, our study revealed that miR-155 ASO can induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, miR-155 ASO could significantly repress tumor growth in vivo, presumably by inducing apoptosis via caspase-3 up-regulation. These findings provide experimental evidence for using miR-155 as a therapeutic target of breast carcinoma.