• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2018

Purpose The introduction of bone scan has been reported as a useful tool in the diagnosis, treatment, and treatment response of skeletal disease. The purpose of this study is to improve the anatomical information and tolerance of the bone by combining bone scan and pelvic X-ray without additional radiation exposure. Materials and Methods From November 2015 to August 2016, 236 patients(64 men and 172 women, average age $50.96{\pm}15.39years$) take Bone scan and Pelvis AP(Anteroposterior) X-ray scan at the National Cancer Center. The scan equipment was a gamma camera, Symbia Ecam (SIEMENS, Germany), and a digital x-ray, DRS-800 (Listem, Korea). Osirix version 3.8.1 (Osirix, USA) and Stata/SE version 14.0 (StataCorp, USA) were used for image combination and analysis. The patient was intravenously injected with $^{99m}Tc-DPD$ (740 MBq), and the scan was performed 2 to 4 hours later. Gamma camera image acquisition were Matrix size $256{\times}1024$, Zoom 1.00, and scan speed 17 cm/min. The digital X-ray was made with a collimator size of $14^{{\prime}{\prime}}{\times}17^{{\prime}{\prime}}$, 77 kVp (60 to 97 kVp) and an average of 30 mAs (20 to 48). ASIS and pubic symphysis Select virtual points then Combine three virtual points and pelvic contour lines. The acquired images were evaluated by three radiologists who worked for more than 5 years in the nuclear medicine department. Results Of the total 236 patients, 216 (91.53%) were matched. The median and range (min~max) of the age were 67 (46~81) years old in the unmatched group and 52 (22~87) years old in the matched group, The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed to determine whether age was different between the two groups. As a result, the age difference between the two groups was statistically significant at p < 0.0001. Of the 64 men, 60 (93.75%) were match and of the 172 women, 156 (93.75%) were match. There was no statistically significant difference according to gender(p = 0.4542). Of the 54 patients without pelvic lesions, 54 (100.00%) were match, and 162 (89.01%) of 182 patients with pelvic lesions were match. There was a statistically significant difference according to the presence of pelvic lesions. Conclusion There are many variables in the combination of bone scan and pelvic X-ray imaging, and the patient's age and pelvic lesion may have some effect on the image combination. This study is expected to be useful for the diagnosis of pelvic osteosarcoma of children without radiation exposure. It is expected that this combination of images will help to develop the nuclear medicine image.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.308-314
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• 1997

A retrospective review of the histopathology and clinical information of primary lung cancer was performed to investigate the trends in the histologic type related to sex, age, and smoking history. During January 1988 and July 1995, 541 pateints were diagnosed as primary lung cancer at the Korea Univeristy Anam Hospital. Male (423) to female(118) ratio was 3. 6:1. The most frequent histologic type of lung cancer in male patients was squamous cell carcinoma (223 patients, 52.7%) followed by adenocarcinoma (86, 20.3%) and small cell carcinoma (85, 20.1 %). In female patients, adenocarcinoma (64, 54.2%) wa most common, which was followed by squamous cell carcinoma (22, 18.6%) and small cell carcinoma (22, 18. 6%). The incidence of adenocarnimoma had an increased tendency recently (14.3% in 1988, 33.3% in 1995)(P=0.019). The predominant type in smokers was squamous cell carcinoma; whereas adenocarcinoma was the most frequent type in non-smokers. The proportion of patients aged less than 40 years (younger group) was 4. 0% (n=22). Of them, adenocarcinoma (7) and small cell carcinoma (7) were most common. In patients older than 40 years (older group, n=519), 243 (46.8%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma, and 143 (27.6%) adenocarcinoma. As age increased, the prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma was increased (P=0.0005), adenocarcinoma decreased (P=NS), and small cell carcinoma remained unchanged. We suggest above data as a clinical guidance for management of primary lung cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.307-314
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• 2008

Purpose : Capsaicin, the major pungent ingredient in red pepper, has long been used in spices and food additives. It has been recently shown to induce apoptosis in several cell lines through a not well known mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of capsaicin on gastric cancer cells, and to provide valuable information concerning the application of capsaicin for therapeutic purposes. Methods : Cultured SNU-668 cells were treated with capsaicin. We analyzed cell survival by trypan blue and crystal violet analysis, cell cytotoxicity by MTT assay, apoptosis by nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation, bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression by RT-PCR, and the expression of apoptosis related proteins by Western immunoblot analysis. In order to assess whether the growth inhibitory effect of anticancer drugs is enhanced by capsaicin, we investigated the effects of cell cytotoxicity and the expression of apoptosis related proteins of etoposide and adriamycin treated with capsaicin in cells. Results : Capsaicin inhibited growth of SNU-668 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect of capsaicin on cell growth was mainly due to the induction of apoptosis as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and the expression of apoptosis related proteins. Furthermore, capsaicin prominently reduced the ratio of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to pro-apoptotic Bax and consequently increased caspase-3 activity. The cells treated with capsaicin were more sensitive to death induced by etoposide and adriamycin than the cells without capsaicin. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that capsaicin efficiently induced apoptosis in SNU-668 cells through a caspase-3-dependent mechanism and sensitizes cancer cells to anticancer drugs toward apoptotic cell death, which may contribute to its anticancer effect and chemosensitizer function against gastric cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.882-888
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• 2006

Purpose : Bacteremia is one of the major concerns in the treatment of pediatric cancer patients. This study was to determine the etiologic agents and the pattern of antibiotic susceptibilities in a single tertiary medical center. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the cases of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients from 1998 to 2005 in Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Results : There were 62 cases of bacteremia from 44 patients. Gram-positive organisms(48.3%) were more common than gram-negative organisms(38.7%) or fungi(13%). Among gram-positive organisms, Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common etiologic agent(63.3%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus(16.7%), ${\alpha}$-hemolytic Streptococcus(16.7%), and Streptococcus mitis(3.3%). Among gram-negative organisms, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans was the most common agent(41.7%) and the other organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae(20.8%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia(12.5%), Acinetobacter baumanii(8.2%), etc. In febrile neutropenic patients, however, K. pneumoniae was the most common cause of gram-negative bacteremia. All of the isolated K. pneumoniae in our center produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and were related with high mortality. S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and Streptococcus species were all susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Most staphylococci were resistant to penicillin and oxacillin. Most of the gram-negative organisms were susceptible to imipenem. Conclusion : Gram-positive organisms were more commonly isolated than gram-negative organisms in pediatric cancer patients like other studies. We could obtained valuable information on the choice of proper antibiotics in our institution. Further studies will be needed to explain the prevalence of A. xylosoxidans in our center.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6521-6526
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed toanalyze the risk behavior for cervical cancer (CC) and the human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and resolution among women who received care through the private healthcare network of a municipality in southern Brazil. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and retrospective study was conducted with 25 women aged 20 to 59 years who received care through the private healthcare network and were treated at a specialty clinic in the period from January to December 2012 in a municipality in Northwest Parana, Southern Brazil. Data from medical records with cytological and HPV results were used. Following treatment, these women were followed-up and reassessed after 6 months. Data were statistically analyzed using the t-test and chi-squared test at a 5% significance level. Results: The mean age of the studied women was $27.8{\pm}7.75$ years old, and the majority were married, with paid employment and were non-smokers. The mean age at menarche was $13.0{\pm}0.50$ years old, and the mean age at first intercourse was $17.5{\pm}1.78$ years, with only 8.0% (2) initiating sexual activity at an age ${\leq}15$ years old. The majority had 1 to 2 children (60.0%), while 88.0% reported having had one sexual partner in their lifetime, and all the women were sexually active. A total of 68.0% used a hormonal contraceptive method. All the women had leukorrhea and pain and were infected by a single HPV type. Regarding the lesion grade, 80.0% showed high risk and 20.0% low risk. The most prevalent high-risk HPV strain was 16. Conclusions: These findings provide relevant information on HPV risk factors and infection, as well as the treatment and 6-month follow-up results, in economically and socially advantaged women with no traditional risk factors, corroborating previous reports that different risk factors may be described in different populations. Thus, this study reinforces the fact that even women without the traditional risk factors should undergo HPVmonitoring and assessment to determine the persistence of infection, promoting early diagnosis of the lesions presented and appropriate treatment to thus prevent the occurrence of CC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6273-6276
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• 2012

Background/Aim: Six prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility loci were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in populations of European decent. However, the associations of these 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PCa has remained tobe clarified in men in Northern China. This study aimed to explore the loci associated with PCa risk in a Northern Chinese population. Methods: Blood samples and clinical information of 289 PCa patients and 288 controls from Beijing and Tianjin were collected. All risk SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-high resolution melting curve technology and gene sequencing. Associations between PCa and clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen [PSA], Gleason score, tumor stage, and level of aggressiveness) and frequencies of alleles and genotypes of these SNPs were analyzed using genetic statistics. Results: Among the candidate SNPs, 11p15 (rs7127900, A) was associated with PCa risk (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.46). Genotypes showed differences between cases and controls on 11p15 (rs7127900, A), 11q13 (rs7931342, T), and HNF1B (rs4430796, A) (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). The genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) was positively associated with an increased Gleason score (P = 0.04, OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.02-4.55). Patients carrying TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) were negatively associated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21-0.92) while those with AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) were more likely to have PSA increase (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Our study suggests that 11p15 (rs7127900, A) could be a susceptibility locus associated with PCa in Northern Chinese. Genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) could be related to an increased Gleason score, AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) could be associated with PSA increase, and TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) could be negatively associated with an increased BMI in Chinese men with PCa.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.152-155
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• 2005

Purpose: The lower extremity edema (LEE) is a common distressful symptom in advanced cancer patients and is hard to manage. We analyze the characteristics of LEE in patients with advanced cancer to provide the basic information of causes and adequate management. Methods: Physical examination, assessment of the location and severity of edema, blood chemistry (albumin, creatinine), Doppler Sono for patients with suspecting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and abdomen CT scan for patient with suspecting lymph edema were performed. Severity of edema was classified according to NCI lymph edema scaling and improvement was defined as lowering at least 1 grade of edema after management. Results: Among 154 patient who had been admitted to Hospice Ward from Mar 2003 to Jan 2004, 33 had LEE, and 6 had both upper extremity edema and LEE except generalized edema. Their underlying cancers were stomach (7), lung (6), biliary tract (5), liver (5), colorectal (5), pancreas (2), and others (9). There were 12 patient with grade I, 20 patients with grade II, and 7 patients with grade III edema. The causes were hypoalbuminemia (11), lymph edema (10), DVT (7), obstruction of inferior vena cava (IVC) or portal vein (6), and dependent edema (5). The common managements were including leg elevation and diuretics. Elastic stocking was applied for patients with DVT and leg massage and pneumatic compression was used for lymph edema. The 2/3 patients were improved after management. Conclusion: The incidence of LEE in terminal cancer pts was high (25.3%) and their causes were variable including lymph edema, DVT, hypoalbuminemia and dependent edema. Active noninvasive management according to causes could result in good palliation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2002

Purpose: Ultrasonography and $^{99m}-Tc-MIBI$ scintimammography were validated as useful diagnostic tools for primary breast cancer. However, ultrasound has the problem of low specificity. We compared the diagnostic usefulness of ultrasound with $^{99m}-Tc-MIBI$ scintimammography in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This study included 174 patients who had ultrasound and $^{99m}-Tc-MIBI$ scintimammography peformed on breast masses from 1999 to 2000. The pathologic results were obtained by surgery or FNAB. Results: Among the 174 patients, malignant breast disease numbered 117 and benign breast disease numbered 57. Ultrasound revealed 88 TP, 9 FN, 8 FP, 34 TN, and 35 indeterminate cases. $^{99m}-Tc-MIBI$ scintimammography revealed 91 TP, 25 FN, 9 FP, and 48 TN. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of Ultrasound were 66.7%, 44.2%, 67.2%, and 43.6% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of $^{99m}-Tc-MIBI$ scintimammography were 77.8%, 84.2%, 91%, and 64.9% respectively. Among the 35 indeterminate ultrasound cases, $^{99m}-Tc-MIBI$ scintimammography revealed 13 TP, 15 TN, and 7 FP Conclusion: $^{99m}-Tc-MIBI$ Scintimammography was more sensitive and specific than ultrasound for the detection of primary breast cancer and provided more useful information in cases of indeterminate ultrasound findings.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of the present study was to analyze and evaluate prior studies published in Korea on the cancer-related quality of life, in order to make recommendations for further research. Materials and Methods : A total of 31 studies were selected from three different databases. The selected studies were analyzed according to 11 criteria, such as site of cancer, domain, independent variable, research design, self/proxy rating, single/battery instrument, translation/back translation, reliability, validity, scoring, and findings. Results : Of the 31 studies, approximately half of them were conducted using a mixed cancer group of patients. Many of the studies asserted that the concept of quality of life had a multidimensional attribute. Approximately 30% were longitudinal design studies giving information about the changes in quality of life. In all studies, except one, patients directly rated their level of quality of life. With respect to the questionnaires used for measuring the quality of life, most studies did not consider whether or not their reliability and validity had been established. In addition, when using questionnaires developed in other languages, no studies employed a translation/ back-translation technique. All studies used sum or total scoring methods when calculating the level of quality of life. The types of variables tested for their influence on qualify of life were quite limited. Conclusion : It is recommended that longitudinal design studies be peformed, using methods of data collection whose validity and reliability has been confirmed, and that studies be conducted to identify new variables having an influence on the quality of life.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2013

Purpose : To evaluate the MRI findings of breast cancer with BRCA mutation. Materials and Methods: We collected information of the breast cancer patients who underwent the test for BRCA gene mutation as well as preoperative breast MRI from January 2007 to December 2010. A total of 185 patients were enrolled; 33 of these patients had BRCA mutations and 152 patients did not. Among them, a total of 231 breast cancers were detected. Images of the 47 breast cancers with BRCA mutation and of the 184 breast cancers without mutations were evaluated to compare the morphologic and enhancement features on MRI. Results: With MR imaging, there were no significant difference in morphologic characteristic between two groups. However, enhancement pattern in the group with BRCA mutation were more likely to have persistent enhancement (p < 0.233), and LN metastasis was more common in breast cancers without BRCA mutation. Breast cancers with BRCA 2 mutation tend to show more persistent enhancement pattern than BRCA 1 mutation. Conclusion: In breast cancer patients with BRCA mutation, MRI didn't show significant difference in morphologic characteristics, however breast cancers with BRCA gene mutation carriers tend to have benign morphologic features on MRI, such as Type 1 kinetic curve enhancement.