• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 1998

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of curative radiotherapy in the management of supralottic cancer. Materials and Methods : Twenty-one Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supralottis were treated with radiotherapy at Gyeongsang National University Hospital between 1590 and 1994. Median follow-up period was 36 months and 95% were observed for at least 2 years. Results : Actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 39.3% for 21 patients. The 5-rear actuarial survival rate was 75.0% in Stage I, 42.9% in Stage II, 33.3% in Stage III and 28.6% in Stage IV(p=0.54), The 5-year local control rate was 52.0% for 21 patients. The 5-rear local control rate was 75.0% in Stage I, 57.1% in Stage II, 66.7% in Stage III, and 28.6% in Stage IV(p=0.33). Double primary cancer was developed in 3 patients and those were all esophageal cancers. Conclusion : In early stage(Stage I and II) supralottic cancer, curative radiotherapy would be a treatment of choice and surgery would be better to be reserved for salvage of radiotherapy failure. In advanced stage(Stage III and IV), radiotherapy alone is inadequate for curative therapy and combination with surgery should be done in operable patients. This report emphasizes the importance of esophagoscopy and esophagogram at the follow-up of patients with supralottic cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The best treatment for advanced esophageal cancer is chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. In spite of the advance of multimodality therapy, most patients with esophageal cancer are treated with radiation therapy alone. This study reports the outcome of the use of conventional external beam radiotherapy alone for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 1998 and December 2005, 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with external beam radiotherapy using a total dose exceeding 40 Gy. Radiotherapy was delivered with a total dose of 44-60 Gy(median dose, 57.2 Gy) over $36{\sim}115$ days(median time, 45 days). Thirteen patients(43.3%) had a history of disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, lye stricture, asthma, cerebral infarct, and cancers. Four patients metachronously had double primary cancers. The most common location of a tumor was the mid-thoracic portion of the esophagus(56.7%). Tumor lengths ranged from 2 cm to 11 cm, with a median length of 6 cm. For AJCC staging, stage III was the most common (63.3%). Five patients had metastases at diagnosis. Results: The median overall survival was 8.3 months. The survival rates at 1-year and 2-years were 33.3% and 18.7%, respectively. The complete response rate $1{\sim}3$ months after radiotherapy was 20%(6/30) and the partial response rate was 70%(21/30). Sixteen patients(53.3%) had an improved symptom of dysphagia. Significant prognostic factors were age, tumor length, stage, degree of dysphagia at the time of diagnosis and tumor response. Cox regression analysis revealed the aim of treatment, clinical tumor response and tumor length as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Twenty-eight patients had local failure and another four patients had metastases. Three patients were detected with double primary cancers in this analysis. A complication of esophageal stricture was observed in three patients(10%), and radiation pneumonitis occurred in two patients(6.7%). Conclusion: The prognosis of esophageal cancer remains poor, in spite of advances in radiotherapy techniques. Radiotherapy is one of the main treatment modalities for the relief of dysphagia and treatment related complications are minimal. It is expected that the addition of chemotherapy or another systemic modality to radiotherapy will improve tumor control and increase the survival rate in advanced esophageal cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.2707-2712
• /
• 2015

Background: The human homologue of the mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) gene is a negative regulator of Tp53. MDM2-309T>G a functional promoter polymorphism was found to be associated with overexpression thereby attenuation of Tp53 stress response and increased cancer susceptibility. We have planned to evaluate the possible role of MDM2-309T>G polymorphism with risk and response to chemotherapy in AML. Materials and Methods: A total of 223 de novo AML cases and 304 age and sex matched healthy controls were genotyped for the MDM2-309T>G polymorphism through the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR method. In order to assess the functional relationship of -309T>G SNP with MDM2 expression level, we quantified MDM2 mRNA in 30 primary AML blood samples through quantitative RT-PCR. Both the (-309T>G) genotypes and the MDM2 expression were correlated with disease free survival (DFS) rates among patients who have achieved complete remission (CR) after first induction chemotherapy. Results: MDM2-309T>G polymorphism was significantly associated with AML development (p<0.0001). The presence of either GG genotype or G allele at MDM2-309 confered 1.79 (95% CI: 1.12-2.86; p<0.001) and 1.46 fold (95%CI: 1.14-1.86; p= 0.003) increased AML risk. Survival analysis revealed that CR+ve cases with GG genotype had significantly increased DFS rates (16months, p=0.05) compared to CR+ve TT (11 months) and TG (9 months) genotype groups. Further, MDM2 expression was also found to be significantly elevated in GG genotype patients (p=0.0039) and among CR+ve cases (p=0.0036). Conclusions: The MDM2-309T>G polymorphism might be involved in AML development and also serve as a good prognostic indicator.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.97-103
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Radical surgery is the standard therapy for patients with resectable cardia cancer. In the case of type II disease with esophageal invasion, a transhiatal extended radical total gastrectomy is needed or a gastroesophagectomy through an abdomino-thoracotomy, depending on the extent of the esophageal invasion. We analyzed the indications and outcome of left colon interposition as an esophageal substitution. Materials and Methods: Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2006, 10 patients underwent left colon interposition after gastroesophagectomy through an abdomino-thoracotomy or the tanshiatal approach for type II cardia cancer at the Department of surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The outcomes of these patients were reviewed and compared, with those who underwent a Roux-en-Y, by gender and age matched analysis, retrospectively. Results: There were nine males and one female with a mean age of 52.5 (range, 16~72). The operation time was $449.00{\pm}87.39minutes$. The mean distance between the proximal resection margin and the cancer was $6.56{\pm}3.65cm$; the maximum size of the tumor was $9.90{\pm}3.97cm$. These measures differed significantly from patients who underwent Roux-en-Y. The patients had a double primary cancer in the cardia and esophagus. There were no events of colon necrosis. However, a pneumothorax occurred in one patient (10%) and a proximal anastomotic stricture occurred in one patient. There were no reports of heartburn, regurgitation, thoracic or epigastric fullness, and one patient even gained weight, 16 kg. Conclusion: Colon interposition after esophagogastrectomy was safe and effective and should be considered as an additional surgical option for locally advanced type II cardia cancer patients with esophageal invasion.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.356-363
• /
• 2016

Human papillomavirus (HPV), a non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA tumor virus, is a primary etiological agent of cervical cancer development. As a potential tool for prophylactic vaccination, the development of virus-like particles (VLPs) containing the HPV16 L1 capsid protein is highly desired. In this study, we developed a high-level expression system of the HPV16 L1 in Escherichia coli for the purpose of VLP development. The native gene of HPV16 L1 has many rare codons that cause the early termination of translation and result in the production of truncated forms. First, we optimized the codon of the HPV16 L1 gene to the preferable codons of E. coli, and we succeeded in producing the full-size HPV16 L1 protein without early termination. Next, to find the best host for the production of HPV16 L1, we examined a total of eight E. coli strains, and E. coli BL21(DE3) with the highest yield among the strains was selected. With the selected host-vector system, we did a fed-batch cultivation in a lab-scale bioreactor. Two different feeding solutions (complex and defined feeding solutions) were examined and, when the complex feeding solution was used, a 6-fold higher production yield (4.6 g/l) was obtained compared with that with the defined feeding solution.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.2
• /
• pp.137-141
• /
• 2008

We treated synchronous double primary lung cancers, where one site resulted from CIS disease, with lobectomy and argon plasma coagulation (APC) in a patient who couldn't tolerate pneumonectomy, which resulted in a reduction of the extent of surgery. APC could be a reasonable alternative for CIS disease of lung in inoperable patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.378-385
• /
• 2020

Background: The thoracic paravertebral block is an effective analgesic technique for postoperative pain management after breast surgery. The ultrasound-guided retrolaminar block (RLB) is a safer alternative to conventional paravertebral block. Thus, we assessed the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided RLB for postoperative pain management after breast surgery. Methods: Patients requiring breast surgery were randomly allocated to group C (retrolaminar injection with saline) and group R (RLB with local anesthetic mixture). The RLB was performed at the level of T3 with local anesthetic mixture (0.75% ropivacaine 20 mL + 2% lidocaine 10 mL) under general anesthesia before the skin incision. The primary outcome was cumulative morphine consumption using intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) at 24 hour postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 1, 6, 24, and 48 hour postoperatively and the occurrence of adverse events and patient satisfaction after the surgery. Results: Forty-six patients were included, 24 in group C and 22 in group R. The cumulative morphine consumption using IV-PCA did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.631). The intraoperative use of remifentanil was higher in group C than in group R (P = 0.025). The resting and coughing VAS scores at 1 hour postoperatively were higher in group R than in group C (P = 0.011, P = 0.004). The incidence of adverse events and patient satisfaction was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: A single injection of ultrasound-guided RLB did not reduce postoperative analgesic requirements following breast surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.356-363
• /
• 2004

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Recently, every effort has been made to improve the long term survival, but the general prognosis for patients with this disease remains poor. In this study, we reviewed 8 years of experiences with esophageal cancer patients managed in our department at Dong-A University Hospital and evaluated the effectiveness of cervical lymph node dissection performed selectively. Material and Method: From January 1995 to August 2003, 70 patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in our department. Among them, 51 patients who underwent curative resection, had no double primary tumors and no neoadjuvant therapy were analyzed retrospectively. In most patients, intrathoracic esophagectomy and cervical esophago-gastrostomy was performed. Since 1997, 3-field lymph node dissection was performed selectively. Result: There were 46 men and 15 women. The median age was 60 years. The tumor was located in the upper third part in 10 patients (19%), middle third in 21 (41%), and lower third in 20 (40%). Majority of the patients (90%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Cervical anastomosis was made in 41 patients, and intrathoracic anastomosis in 10. 2-field lymph node dissection was done in 40 patients, and 3-field lymph node dissection in 11. The pathologic staging were as follows: stage I in 9 patients (17.6%), IIA in 20 (39.2%), IIIB in 7 (13.7%), III in 11 (21.6%), IVA in 2 (3.9%), and IVB in 2 (3.9%). The in-hospital mortality was 3.9% (2 patients) and complications occurred in 24 patients (47%). Overall actuarial 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 74.4%, 48.4%, and 48.4% including operative mortality. The 4-year survival rate did not differ significantly between 3-field lymph node dissection group (50.5%) and 2-field lymph node dissection group (48.9%). In 3-field lymph node dissection group, the respiratory complications were more frequent and operative time was significantly longer. Conclusion: We think that curative resection for esophageal cancer can be performed with acceptable mortality, and aggressive surgical approach may improve the long term survival. even for advanced stages. Effectiveness of 3-field lymph node dissection needs further investigations.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.233-243
• /
• 2000

Purpose : First of all, this study was performed to assess the result of curative radiotherapy and to evaluate different possible prognostic factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx treated at the Pusan National University Hospital. The second goal of this study was by comparing our data with those of other study groups, to determine the better treatment policy of supraglottic cancer in future. Methods and Material : Thirty-two patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx were treated with radiotherapy at Pusan National University Hospital, from August 1985 to December 1996. Minimum follow-up period was 29 months, Twenty-seven patients (84.4$\%$) were followed up over 5 years. Radiotherapy was delivered with 6 MV photons to the primary laryngeal tumor and regional iymphatics with shrinking field technique. Ail patients received radiotherapy under conventional fractionated schedule (once a day). Median total tumor dose was 70.2 Gy (range, 55.8 to 75.6 Gy) on primary or gross tumor lesion. Thirteen patients had Induction chemotherapy with cisplatln and 5-fluorouracil (1-3 cycles). Patient distribution, according to the different stages, were as follows: stage I, 5/32 (15.6$\%$): stage II, 10/32 (31.3$\%$); stage III, 8/32 (25$\%$): stage IV, 9/32 (28.1$\%$). Results :The 5-year overall survival rate of the whole series (32 patients) was 51.7$\%$. The overall survival rate at 5-years was 80$\%$ in stage I, 66.7$\%$ in stage II, 42.9$\%$ in stage III, 25$\%$ in stage IV (p=0.0958). The S-year local control rates after radiotherapy were as fellows: stage I, 100$\%$; stage II, 60$\%$ stage III, 62.5$\%$; stage IV, 44.4$\%$ (p=0.233). Overall vocal preservation rates was 65.6$\%$, 100% In stage I, 70% in stage II, 62.5$\%$ In stage III, 44.4$\%$ in stage IV (p=0.210). There was no statistical significance in survival and local control rate between neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy group and radiotherapy alone group. Severe laryngeal edema was found in 2 cases after radiotllerapy, emergent tracheostomy was done. Four patients were died from distant metastsis, . three in lung, one in brain. Double primary tumor was found in 2 cases, one in lung (metachronous), another in thyroid (synchronous). Ulcerative lesions were revealed as unfavorable prognostic factor ( p=0.0215), and radiation dose (more or less than 70.2 Gy) was an important factor on survival (p=0.002). Conclusion : The role of radiotherapy treatment of supraglottic carcinoma is to important factor on survival and to preserve the laryngeal function. Based on our data and other studies, early and moderately advanced supragiottic carcinomas could be successfully treated with either consewative surgery or radiotherapy alone. Both modalities showed similar results in survival and vocal preservation. For the advanced cases, radiotherapy alone is Inadequate for curative aim and surgery combined with radiotherapy should be done in operable patients. When patients refuse operation or want to preserve vocal function, or for the patients with inoperable medical conditions, combined chemoradiotherapy (concurrent) or altered fractionated radiotherapy with or without radiosensitizer should be taken into consideration in future.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Early detection of small brain metastases is important. The purpose of this study was to compare the detectability of brain metastases according to the size between 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI. Materials and Methods : We reviewed 162 patients with primary lung cancer who were examined for TNM staging. After administration of double dose of Gd-DTPA, MR imaging was performed with SPGR by 3.0 T MRI and then with T1 SE sequence by 1.5 T MRI. In each patient, three readers performed qualitative assessment. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated in 3.0 T and 1.5 T MRI according to size. Using the signal intensity (SI) measurements between the metastatic nodules and adjacent tissue, nodule-to-adjacent tissue SI ratio was calculated. Results : Thirty-one of 162 patients had apparent metastatic nodules in the brain at either 1.5 T or 3.0 T MR imaging. 143 nodules were detected in 3.0 T MRI, whereas 137 nodules were detected at 1.5 T MRI. Six nodules, only detected in 3.0 T MRI, were smaller than 3.0 mm in dimension. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy in 3.0 T MRI were 100 %, 100 %, and 100 % respectively, and in 1.5 T MRI were 95.8%, 88.3%, and 85.1% respectively. SI ratio was significantly higher in the 3.0 T MRI than 1.5 T MRI (p=0.025). Conclusion : True positive rate of 3.0 T MRI with Gd-DTPA was superior to 1.5 T MRI with Gd-DTPA in detection of metastatic nodules smaller than 3.0 mm.