• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4071-4075
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• 2013

Expression changes of somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTRs) including SSTR1, SSTR2, SSTR3, SSTR4 and SSTR5 in the development of gallbladder cancer were assessed with attention to relationships with clinical pathological characteristics. SSTRs in 29 gallbladder cancer and 25 normal gallbladder tissue specimens were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Differences between SSTRs expressions and clinical pathological parameters were analyzed by chi-square test. The five subtypes of SSTR were all expressed in gallbladder cancer tissues and SSTR3 presented the highest expression. SSTR5 expression was increased significantly in gallbladder cancer (P<0.05) compared with that in normal gallbladder tissue. SSTR3 expression in highly and moderately differentiated gallbladder cancer was significantly higher than that in poorly differentiated lesions (P<0.05). SSTR4 expression was lower in gallbladder cancer with lymph node metastasis than that in gallbladder cancer without lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Therfore, these results indicated that SSRT5, SSTR3 and SSTR4 may play important roles in the formation and development of gallbladder cancer.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Reports
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2019

Although the incidence of gallbladder cancer is relatively low, Korea is one of the countries with the highest incidences of gallbladder cancer in the world. Gallbladder cancer is also often diagnosed in an advanced state, and has poor prognosis. A gallstone is one of the major risk factors for gallbladder cancer and a majority of epidemiological studies support correlation between cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer. Clear mechanism, however, regarding how gallstones cause gallbladder cancer is not known. In this article, results of studies about the relationship between gallstone and gallbladder cancer were thoroughly reviewed. Also, it was discussed whether prophylactic cholecystectomy is necessary to prevent gallbladder cancer in asymptomatic gallstone patients without other risk factors such as a gallbladder polyp or porcelain gallbladder.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.187-190
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• 2012

Background: High incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC) is reported from North India, with elevated concentrations of heavy metals in water and soil. This Indo-Japan collaborative study compared presence of heavy metals in gallbladder tissues. Methods: Heavy metal concentrations were estimated in Indian GBC and cholecystitis tissues and compared with Japanese GBC and cholecystitis tissues. Spectrophotometry was done for 13 Indian gallbladder tissues (8 GBC, 5 cholecystitis) and 9 Japanese (5 GBC, 4 cholecystitis). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) thin foil element analysis was done in 10 Indian samples (6 GBC, 4 cholecystitis). Results: Chromium, lead, arsenic and zinc were significantly high in Indian GBC compared with Japanese GBC. Chromium, lead and arsenic were significantly high in the Indian cholecystitis tissues compared to the Japanese. TEM of Indian tissues demonstrated electron dense deposits in GBC. Conclusion: Heavy metals-chromium, lead, arsenic and zinc are potential carcinogens in Indian GBC from endemic areas. This preliminary study links presence of heavy metals in gallbladder cancer tissues in endemic areas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.343-347
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• 2014

Background: Maspin expression is a potential prognostic factor for various malignancies but its relation with gallbladder cancer is unknown and needs to be investigated needs to be investigated. We therefore here focused on maspin mRNA expression in normal, gall stone disease and gallbladder cancer subjects, with particular attention to prognostic importance in individuals with malignancies. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. Gallbladder samples from normal (n=25), gall stone disease (n=25) and cancer patients (n=38) were analysed for maspin mRNA expression by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real time PCR. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Students t test or ANOVA. Survival analysis was conducted according to the Kaplan-Meier method and correlations were assessed using the Pearson correlation method. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Significant increase (p=0.028) in expression of maspin mRNA was observed in gallbladder cancer as compared to gall stone disease, whereas no expression was found in normal tissues. Significant correlation (Pearson's coefficient(r)=-0.798, p<0.0001) was observed between relative quantification of maspin mRNA and survival of cancer patients after surgery, with significantly shorter (p=0.002) survival in patients having relative quantification >1.5 as compared to those having relative quantification <1.5. Similarly, significant differences in patient survival for maspin mRNA expression was observed for stage II (p=0.025) and III (p=0.011) cancer. Conclusions: Higher expression of maspin mRNA in gallbladder cancer has prognostic significance for stage II and III cancer, which needs to be investigated further.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.42-44
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• 2015

Anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct (AUPBD) has been shown to predispose to carcinomas of the biliary tract (bile duct and gallbladder) and pancreatic cancer because of chronic recurrent inflammatory reaction due to pancreatic or bile juice refluxes. However, pancreatic duct would be less affected by the bile because of the relatively higher intraductal pressure of the pancreatic duct. We report a case of metachronous pancreatic cancer in AUPBD patient without choledochal cyst who underwent cholecystectomy because of gallbladder cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.477-484
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the improvement effect of symptoms of integrative cancer treatment (ICT) on recurrent gallbladder cancer patients. Methods: A 73-year-old patient with recurrent gallbladder cancer visited the Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University East West Cancer Center (EWCC) on February 2022. After the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, the patient underwent cholecystectomy and relapsed during follow-up. After the operation, the cancer recurred during follow-up, and after radiation treatment, she had been receiving ICT since February 2022. The clinical outcomes were measured by X-ray, computed tomography (CT), laboratory findings, including tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9), and numeric rating scales (NRS). Results: After treatment, abdominal pain was relieved from NRS 5 to 2, and abdominal circumference decreased from 74.5 to 67. During and after treatment, we found neither hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity in the laboratory findings. Conclusion: This case study suggests that ICT may improve symptoms in patients with gallbladder cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.667-674
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• 2010

Objective : To investigate the therapeutic effects of Hang-Am-Dan(HAD) on gallbladder cancer patients. Method : We prescribed HAD three times a day(3,000-6,000 mg/day) during a treatment period of 8 and 34 months respectively. Computed tomography(CT) was taken to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Results : Two patients diagnosed with gallbladder cancer were recommended to go through chemotherapy. However, they refused the standard regimen due to their old age and the fear of side effects, and chose to go with Oriental medicine treatments instead. The patients were treated for 8 and 34 months respectively. Each patient showed stable disease(SD) state during the treatment period. Conclusion : According to these cases, it could be concluded that HAD may offer potential benefits in treating gallbladder cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1281-1283
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• 2014

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare malignancy characterized by high invasiveness and poor survival. In a nation-wide cancer survey, the age-standardized incidence rate of GBC was the highest in Jeju Island compared to 15 other provinces in Korea. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of GBC according to the nature of diagnosis, that is, incidental versus non-incidental. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who were newly diagnosed with GBC at the Digestive Disease Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Cheju Halla General Hospital, between November 2008 and November 2011, were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) and non-incidental gallbladder cancer (NIGBC). Clinical outcomes were retrospectively compared between the two groups. Results: Seventy-nine patients were enrolled and analyzed in our study. Thirty-three (41.8%) and 46 (58.2%) were identified as IGBC and NIGBC, respectively. The proportions of patients with gallstone disease, gallbladder polyp, and cholecystectomy were significantly different between the two groups. Additionally, the median survival rate was significantly higher for patients with IGBC than for those with NIGBC (11.4, 95% confidence interval, 5.6-13.7 vs 4.0, 95% confidence interval 3.03-5.96 months; p=0.01) during a median follow-up period of 5.7 months. Conclusions: Patients with IGBC showed better clinical prognosis than those with NIGBC. Therefore, patients with gallstone disease or gallbladder polyps, major predictive risk factors for IGBC, should undergo advanced work-up for chelecystectomy.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2016

Background : This case is to report a gallbladder cancer patient treated with Korean Medicine who could not receive conventional cancer therapies such as operation and chemotherapy due to her underlying diseases, old age and poor performance. Method and Results : An eighty-year-old female patient was diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer on Feb. 2014 and she already had hypertension, diabetes and Parkinsonism. Comprehensive Korean Medicine (KM) treatments instead of operation and chemotherapy were administrated due to her poor condition and old age. KM treatments were done focused on improving symptoms and quality of life combined with best supportive care. During KM treatments her abdominal pain was generally managed and she survived for 22 months. Conclusion : Further studies should be performed in the future to clarify the survival benefit and symptom management of comprehensive KM treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2511-2514
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• 2012

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic factors of gallbladder carcinoma. Methods: Presentation, operative data, complications, and survival outcome were examined for 132 gallbladder carcinoma patients who underwent gallbladder surgery in our unit during 2002-2007, and follow-up results were obtained from every patient for univariate and multivariate survival analysis. Results: The univariate analysis showed that gallbladder lesion history, tumor cell differentiation, Nevin staging, preoperative lymph node metastasis and the surgical approach significantly correlated with the prognosis of the patients (p<0.05). The results of the multivariate analysis (Cox regression) showed that gallbladder lesion history, Nevin staging and the surgical approach were independent predicators with relative risks of 6.9, 4.4, 2.8, respectively (p=0.002, 0.003, 0.008). Conclusion: Gallbladder lesion history, Nevin staging and the surgical approach are independent prognostic factors for gallbladder carcinoma, a rapidly fatal disease. Therefore, early diagnosis, anti-infective therapy and radical surgery are greatly needed to improve the prognosis of gallbladder carcinoma.