• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1985

To assess the result of radiation therapy for fifteen years experience, a total of 81 cases of pathologically proven vocal cord cancer had been analysed according to patient survival retrospectively. All the patients had been treated with radiation therapy using Co-60 teletherapy unit in curative aim. The results are as follows ; 1. According to AJCC staging, (ive year survival rate was $75.0\%$ in stage I, $73.1\%$ in stage II, $36.0\%$ in stage III, and $20.0\%$ in stage IV. 2. According to T-staging, five year survival rate was $75.0\%$ in T1, $73.1\%$ in T2, $24.3\%$ in T3, and $25.0\%$ in T4. 5, According to nodal status, five year survival rate was $59.4\%$ in negative node group and $14.2\%$ in positive group. 4. According to the histologic grade, the better in differentiation, the more in number of cases and the better in prognosis. 5. In summary, five year actuarial survival rate was $55.5\%$ and ten year survival rate was $49.8\%$ and ten year survivors totalled 12 cases.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2024

Background: Nearly half of patients diagnosed with cancer are in the middle of their traditional working age. The return to work after cancer entails challenges because of the cancer or treatments and associated with the workplace. The study aimed at providing more insight into the occupational outcomes encountered by workers with cancer and to provide interventions, programs, and practices to support their return to work. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for scoping review guidelines. Relevant studies were systematically searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Grey literature from 01 January 2000 to 22 February 2024. Results: The literature search generated 3,017 articles; 53 studies were considered eligible for this review. Most of the studies were longitudinal and conducted in Europe. Three macroarea were identified: studies on the impact of cancer on workers in terms of sick leave, employment, return to work, etc.; studies reporting wider issues that may affect workers, such as the compatibility of treatment and work and employment; studies reporting interventions or policies aiming to promote the return to work. Conclusion: There is a lack in the literature in defining multidisciplinary interventions combining physical, psycho-behavioural, educational, and vocational components that could increase the return-to-work rates. Future studies should focus on interdisciplinary return to work efforts with multiple stakeholders with the involvement of an interdisciplinary teamwork (healthcare workers and employers) to combine these multidisciplinary interventions at the beginning of sick leave period.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.968-973
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• 2008

The study was to provide basic data and to examine the effect of combined exercise for 12 months on functional fitness and bone mineral density (BMD) in breast cancer survivors. The subjects of this study were 40 to 60-year-old married women (N=24) who finished their treatments chemotherapy and radiation therapy. They were divided into two groups that exercise group and exercise with alendronate group. Eighteen (T-score=$-2.2{\pm}0.8$) of the 24 women who were diagnosed osteopenia (N=15) and osteoporosis (N=3), participated in combined exercise (EG). The other six (T-score=$-4.6{\pm}0.9$) women who were diagnosed as osteoporosis (EDG), participated in the combined exercise program with osteoporosis drug (Alendronate 70 mg/w). The result of the analysis was as follows: Twelve months after, the participants (N=24) had a significant increase of the items such as sit and reach ups, grip strength (R and L) and sit ups test of functional fitness in the periods. In body composition, FM (fat mass) had significant decrease in periods. In the comparison of BMD, EG (N=18) had no change, while EDG (N=6) had significant improvement in L1, T12 and T-score after 12months. Consequently, complex exercise program (Hatha yoga, elastic band, gym ball) had positive effect on functional fitness and bone mineral density. We suggest that complex exercise program can be applied as recovery program after breast cancer surgery. Further research needs various and repetitive studies from more different targets or methods in the exercise program for its improvement.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.344-349
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• 2015

Late complications of head and neck cancer survivors include neck muscle atrophy and soft-tissue fibrosis. We present an autopsy case of neck muscle atrophy and soft-tissue fibrosis (sternocleidomastoid, omohyoid, digastric, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and platysma muscles) within the radiation field after modified radical neck dissection type I and postoperative radiotherapy for floor of mouth cancer. A 70-year-old man underwent primary tumor resection of the left floor of mouth, left marginal mandibulectomy, left modified radical neck dissection type I, and reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. The dose to the primary tumor bed and involved neck nodes was 63 Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks. Areas of subclinical disease (left lower neck) received 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not administered.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.156-168
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to examine factors influencing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and compare them between young-aged and old-aged patients with cancer. Methods: Data of 291 patients (young-aged: 168, old-aged: 123) were obtained from the 10th wave of the 2015 Korea Health Panel Survey. The HRQOL was measured using the Korean version of Euro-QoL-5D. Independent t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify factors influencing HRQOL. Results: The average HRQOL score was 0.87±0.10 and 0.82±0.15 among young-aged and old-aged, respectively. The factors differed partially between the two groups. For young-aged, the influencing factors were activity restriction, subjectively perceived health status, and smoking. For old-aged, the influencing factors were activity restriction, subjective health status, and unmet healthcare needs. Conclusion: Strategies to improve the HRQOL of elderly adults need to be developed considering the age group. Additionally, studies that include clinical factors such as symptoms are required to prepare need-based practical approaches for better quality of life of such patients.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.5-14
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify key educational and counseling needs of breast cancer patients in Korea. The data were collected from 102 breast cancer survivors. The instrument consisted of 66 items and the items were divided into five treatment stages: pre-admission, admission, discharge, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The subjects' mean age was 50 years and most of them were housewives. All had a mastectomy and among them 69 had chemotherapy and 42 had radiation therapy. Average post-surgical period was 47 months. The mean score of the subjects' needs was 2.99 out of 4 points. The highest educational need was to know about the method of recurrence prevention. In terms of the treatment stages, mean score for pre-admission was 3.09, admission 3.06, chemotherapy 3.03, after discharge 2.95, and radiation therapy 2.80. In the pre-admission period, etiology, diagnostic tests, treatment and prevention of the breast cancer were needed the most. During the admission period, symptom management after the operation had the highest score. After discharge, prevention of recurrence had the highest score. The results of this research will help in developing educational and counseling programs by understanding the specific needs of breast cancer patients based on the treatment stages.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2020

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the incidence, manifestations, and outcomes of malignancy after pediatric kidney transplantation (KT) at our center over 30 years. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 155 patients under 18 years of age who underwent KT between January 1990 and February 2020 at Asan Medical Center. Results: Twelve patients (7.7%) were diagnosed with a malignancy after KT. Malignancy was diagnosed after a mean period of 6.4±5.9 years (median 4.6, range 0.5-20.6 years) after KT. Nine (75.0%) of the 12 cancer patients were diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), and the other three had papillary thyroid cancer, mucoepidermoid cancer of the hard palate, and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, respectively. PTLD was diagnosed within a mean of 3.7±3.4 years (median 3.7, range 0.5-9.8 years) after KT. Five patients diagnosed with PTLD were cured without recurrence. Three patients with PTLD died from the disease, and one patient with mucoepidermoid cancer from a non-PTLD malignancy died after progression, despite surgical resection and chemotherapy. Three (33.3%) of the nine survivors progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after completing cancer treatment. No patient with post-transplant malignancy (PTM) experienced critical renal deterioration during cancer treatment. Conclusion: PTLD was the most common PTM, occurring at 5.8% of the pediatric KT patients after KT in our center. Careful follow up is needed particularly considering the risk of PTLD after KT in children.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.160-178
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• 2023

Purpose: Since technology-based interventions can facilitate convenient access to healthcare for women with breast cancer, it is crucial to understand innovative approaches to maintaining the effectiveness of these interventions. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of technology-based self-management interventions for women with breast cancer in six countries. We analyzed the characteristics of these interventions and examined their diverse health outcomes. Methods: Six databases were systematically searched to extract research articles using the keywords "breast cancer," "technology," and "self-management." The search was carried out up until June 12, 2023. From the 1,288 studies retrieved from the database search, 10 eligible papers were identified based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two authors independently extracted and compared the data from these articles, resolving any discrepancies through discussion. Results: Most of the 10 studies utilized web- or mobile-based technology, and one used artificial intelligence-based technology. Among the 12 health-related outcome variables, quality of life and symptom distress were the most frequently mentioned, appearing in six articles. Furthermore, an analysis of the intervention programs revealed a variety of common constructs and the involvement of managers in the self-management intervention. Conclusion: Incorporating key components such as self-management planning, diary keeping, and communication support in technology-based interventions could significantly improve the self-management process for breast cancer survivors. The practical application of technology has the potential to empower women diagnosed with breast cancer and improve their overall quality of life, by providing timely and sustainable interventions, and by leveraging available resources and tools.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2024

Background: Although the survival outcomes of childhood cancer patients have improved, childhood cancer survivors suffer from various degrees of immune dysfunction or delayed immune reconstitution. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on T cell recovery in childhood cancer patients who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) from the perspective of inflammatory and senescent phenotypes. Methods: This was a single-arm exploratory trial. The KRG group (n = 15) received KRG powder from month 1 to month 12 post-ASCT. We compared the results of the KRG group with those of the control group (n = 23). The proportions of T cell populations, senescent phenotypes, and cytokine production profiles were analyzed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-ASCT using peripheral blood samples. Results: All patients in the KRG group completed the treatment without any safety issues and showed a comparable T cell repopulation pattern to that in the control group. In particular, KRG administration influenced the repopulation of CD4⁺ T cells via T cell expansion and differentiation into effector memory cell re-expressing CD45RA (EMRA) cells. Although the KRG group showed an increase in the number of CD4⁺ EMRA cells, the expression of senescent and exhausted markers in these cells decreased, and the capacity for senescence-related cytokine production in the senescent CD28^- subset was ameliorated. Conclusions: These findings suggest that KRG promotes the repopulation of CD4⁺ EMRA T cells and regulates phenotypical and functional senescent changes after ASCT in pediatric patients with cancer.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.69-89
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• 2006

Biological mechanisms for ionizing radiation effects are different at low doses than at high doses. Radiation hormesis involves low-dose-induced protection and high-dose-induced harm. The protective component is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cancer below the spontaneous frequency, brought about by activation of defensive and repair processes. The Linear No-Threshold (LNT) hypothesis advocated by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the Biological Effects of ionizing Radiation (BEIR) Report VII for cancer risk estimations Ignores hormesis and the presence of a threshold. Cancer incidences significantly less than expected have been found in a large number of epidemiological studies including, airline flight personnel, inhabitants of high radiation backgrounds, shipyard workers, nuclear site workers in scores of locations throughout the world, nuclear power utility workers, plutonium workers, military nuclear test site Participants, Japanese A-bomb survivors, residents contaminated by major nuclear accidents, residents of Taiwan living in $^{60}Co$ contaminated buildings, fluoroscopy and mammography patients, radium dial painters, and those exposed to indoor radon. Significantly increased cancer was not found at doses <200 $mSv^*$. Evidence for radiation hormesis was seen in both sexes for acute or chronic exposures, low or high LET radiations, external whole- or partial body exposures, and for internal radionuclides. The ubiquitous nature of the Healthy Worker Effect (HWE)-like responses in cellular, animal and epidemiological studies negates the HWE as an explanation for radiation hormesis. The LNT hypothesis is wrong and does not represent the true nature of the dose-response relationship, since low doses or dose-rates commonly result in thresholds and reduce cancer incidences below the spontaneous rate. Radiation protection organizations should seriously consider the cost and health implications of radiation hormesis.