• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6573-6578
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• 2013

Background: The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient characteristics, treatment modalities and prognostic factors in Turkish patients with pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 1997 and December 2012, 64 patients who presented to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were evaluated. The E/K ratio of the cases was 2.4/1 and the median age was 59.6 (32-80) years, respectively. Some 11 cases (18%) were stage 1, 21 (34.4%) were stage 2, 10 (16.4%) were stage 3, and 19 (31.1%) were metastatic. Results: The mean follow-up time was 15.7 months (0.7-117.5) and loco-regional recurrence was noted in 11 (40.7%) who underwent surgery while metastases were observed in 41 patients (66.1%). The median overall survival (OS) was 11.2 months and the 1, 3 and 5-year OS rates were 41.7%, 9.9% and 7.9% respectively. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 5.2 month and the1, 2 and 5 year DFS were 22.6%, 7.6% and 3.8% respectively. On univariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting OS included status of the operation (p<0.001), tumor stage (p=0.008), ECOG performance status (p=0.005) and CEA level (p=0.017).On multivariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting survival included status of the operation (p=0.033) and age (p= 0.023). Conclusions: In the current study, age and operation status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival with pancreatic patients. Thus, the patients early diagnosis and treatment ars essential. However, prospective studies with more patients are needed for confirmation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5905-5910
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• 2013

Background: To investigate the preventive and therapeutic potential of garlic oil on human pancreatic carcinoma cells. Methods: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to study the effects of garlic oil on three human pancreatic cancer cell lines, AsPC-1, Mia PaCa-2 and PANC-1. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry (FCM), staining with PI and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI), respectively. Morphologic changes of pancreatic cancer cells were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after treatment with garlic oil at low inhibitory concentrations ($2.5{\mu}M$ and $10{\mu}M$) for 24 hours. Results: Proliferation of the AsPC-1, PANC-1, and Mia PaCa-2 cells was obviously inhibited in the first 24 hours with the MTT assay. The inhibition effect was more significant after 48 hours. When cells were exposed to garlic oil at higher concentrations, an early change of the apoptotic tendency was detected by FCM and TEM. Conclusion: Garlic oil could inhibit the proliferation of AsPC-1, PANC-1, and Mia PaCa-2 cells in this study. Moreover, due to programmed cell death, cell cycle arrest, or both, pro-apoptosis effects on AsPC-1 cells were induced by garlic oil in a dose and time dependent manner in vitro.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.299-305
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• 2016

Despite of the development of medical equipments and technology. Pancreatic cancer has maked high false positive rate and low survival rate compared to other cancers. Therefore, early catch of pancreatic cancer is the only way to enhance the viability. It is important to find the exact location of the pancreas cancer in early stage. The method of optimum scan for early detection of pancreatic cancer on PET/CT exam is proposed. Examined the anatomical region that potentially can be missing from the supine position of ordinary pet/ct exam. The characteristics and usefulness of angle variation ($0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$) of patients scan position is analyzed. The proposed scan method (named JJ-projection) is bringing advantage of anatomical discrimination by separating stomach, liver, gallbladder duodenum and pancreas. ROC curve analysis is shows to advantage of the JJ-Projection method. The sensitivity has increased 4.6% than the supine delay scan method, the results sensitivity has increased from 91% to 95.2%. The specificity has increased from 75.1% to 84%. Compared with the results observed in cancer by biological biopsy, The accuracy has increased from 86.8% to 94.1%.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.185-187
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• 2013

Neurofibromas are benign tumors that originate from the peripheral nerves, including neurites and fibroblasts. Generally, a solitary neurofibroma is located in the skin and rarely in other places. A 72-year-old female suffered from epigastric discomfort for 2 months. Endoscopic findings showed an early gastric cancer type IIc at the antrum. Abdominal computed tomography revealed early gastric cancer with a 1.6 cm-sized metastatic node posterior to the duodenum. Laparoscopic assisted distal gastrectomy and retro-pancreatic dissection were performed uneventfully. Histological examination revealed gastric adenocarcinoma, invading the mucosa without nodal metastasis, and a neurofibroma. Herein, we present a case of a gastric cancer patient with a solitary retroperitoneal neurofibroma which mimicked a distant metastatic node.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 2016

The adequate dietary intake is important to maintain the nutritional status of the patients after pancreatic cancer surgery. This prospective study was designed to investigate the dietary intake and the nutritional status of the patients who had pancreatic cancer surgery. Thirty-one patients (15 men, 16 women) were enrolled and measured body weight, body mass index (BMI), nutritional risk index (NRI), and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Actual oral intake with nutritional impact symptoms recorded on the clinical research foam at every meal and medical information were collected from electronic medical charts. The rates of malnutrition at admission were 45.1% (14/31) and 28.9% (9/31) by NRI and MUST method, respectively, but those were increased to 87% (27/31) and 86.6% (26/31) after operation on discharge. The median values of daily intake of energy, carbohydrates, fat, and protein were 588.1 kcal, 96.0 g, 11.8 g, and 27.0 g, respectively. Most patients (n = 20, 64.5%) experienced two or more symptoms such as anorexia, abdominal bloating and early satiety. There were negative correlations between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the intake of total energy, protein, fat, and zinc. The rates of malnutrition were increased sharply after surgery and the dietary intake also influenced the inflammatory indicators. The results suggested that need of considering special therapeutic diets for the patients who received pancreatic surgery.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2015

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the pancreas is extremely rare, although it may be increasingly diagnosed due to the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging of the abdomen. Early diagnosis of this disease is important to prevent delay of treatment and resulting fatal complications. We report a rare case of pancreatic AVM in a 48-year-old man who presented with severe chronic anemia and early gastric cancer, which made diagnosis challenging. Imaging findings, including ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, are shown, as well as the pathologic features.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.16-29
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• 2021

Purpose: Incidence, risk factors, and clinical consequences of pancreatic fistula (POPF) after D1+/D2 radical gastrectomy have not been well investigated in Western patients, particularly those from Eastern Europe. Materials and Methods: A total of 358 D1+/D2 radical gastrectomies were performed by surgeons with high caseloads in a single surgical center from 2002 to 2017. A retrospective analysis of data that were prospectively gathered in an electronic database was performed. POPF was defined and graded according to the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) criteria. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify potential predictors of POPF. Additionally, the impact of POPF on early complications and long-term outcomes were investigated. Results: POPF was observed in 20 patients (5.6%), according to the updated ISGPS grading system. Cardiovascular comorbidities emerged as the single independent predictor of POPF formation (risk ratio, 3.051; 95% confidence interval, 1.161-8.019; P=0.024). POPF occurrence was associated with statistically significant increased rates of postoperative hemorrhage requiring re-laparotomy (P=0.029), anastomotic leak (P=0.002), 90-day mortality (P=0.036), and prolonged hospital stay (P<0.001). The long-term survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was not affected by POPF (P=0.661). Conclusions: In this large series of Eastern European patients, the clinically relevant rate of POPF after D1+/D2 radical gastrectomy was low. The presence of co-existing cardiovascular disease favored the occurrence of POPF and was associated with an increased risk of postoperative bleeding, anastomotic leak, 90-day mortality, and prolonged hospital stay. POPF was not found to affect the long-term survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2171-2174
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• 2012

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a distressing disease with a miserable prospects and early recognition remains a challenge due to ubiquitous symptomatic presentation, deep anatomical location, and aggressive etiology. False positives and problems in distinguishing pancreatitis from adenocarcinoma limit the use of CA 19-9 as both disorders can present with similar symptoms and share radiographic physiognomies. This study aimed to assess the relative increase in accuracy of diagnosing the patients with chronic pancreatitis, benign neoplasm of pancreas and adenocarcinomas with CA 19-9, haptoglobin, and serum amyloid A in comparison to CA 19-9 alone. Materials and Methods: This hospital based case control study was carried out in the Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal, between $1^{st}$ January 2010 and $31^{st}$ December 2011. The variables assessed were age, gender, serum CA19-9, serum haptoglobulin, serum Amyloid A. The data were analyzed using Excel 2003, R 2.8.0 Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows Version 16.0 (SPSS Inc; Chicago, IL, USA) and the EPI Info 3.5.1 Windows Version. Results: Out of 197 cases of pancreatic disease, maximum number of assumed cases were of adenocarcinoma of pancreas (95). Number of males (59) were more than females (36) in assumed cases of adenocarcinoma of pancreas. The mean values of CA19-9 raised considerably in cases of chronic pancreatitis, benign neoplasm and adenocarcinoma of pancreas when compared to controls. The highest augmention in CA19-9 values were in cases of adenocarcinoma of pancreas. The p-value indicates that in cases of chronic pancreatitis, there was not significant increase in precision of diagnosis. Conclusions: These statistics established that haptoglobin and SAA are useful in discriminating cancer from benign conditions as well as healthy controls.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2024

This case report explores the challenges and complexities associated with opioid management of cancer pain, emphasizing the importance of early involvement of a hospice consultation team and the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach to care. A 56-year-old man with advanced pancreatic cancer experienced escalating pain and inappropriate opioid prescriptions, highlighting the shortcomings of traditional pain management approaches. Despite procedural intervention by the attending physician and increased opioid dosages, the patient's condition deteriorated. Subsequently, the involvement of a hospice consultation team, in conjunction with collaborative psychiatric care, led to an overall improvement. The case underscores the necessity of early hospice engagement, psychosocial assessments, and collaborative approaches in the optimization of patient-centered palliative care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.719-724
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• 2012

This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of expression and amplification of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) in pancreatic carcinomas (PC). mRNA expression was detected by PQ-PCR, and amplification was determined. DcR3 protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Correlations between DcR3 expression and clinical pathological factors were analyzed. The relative amount of DcR3 in PC tissues and non-cancerous tissues showed a statistically significant difference, 21 cases displaying more than two fold DcR3 amplification, while no such amplification was found in normal pancreatic tissues. DcR3 positive cell staining was located in the cytoplasm. The positive rate of DcR3 in PC and non-cancerous tissues showed a significant difference. DcR3 mRNA expression was correlated with clinical staging, size of the tumor, lymph node metastasis and histological staging, while protein expression was correlated with clinical data like tumor size. DcR3 gene amplification only correlated with tumor size. The level of DcR3 in serum of the PC resectable group before operation was $72.2{\pm}10.2$ pg/ml, showing a significant difference compared to gallbladder carcinoma group (GC) or pancreatic benign tumor (PBT) group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, DcR3 amplification is correlated with DcR3 expression in PC tissues, especially those clinical pathological factors which reflect tumor progression. Assessment of DcR3 level in sera of PC patients may be helpful for the early diagnosis and prognostic judgement.